asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when the inquiry under the Restrictive Practices Act into the retail sale of goods below cost price will commence and how long it is expected to last; and the type of action proposed under the powers available to him on receipt of the results of such an inquiry.
Written Answers. - Sale of Goods Inquiry.
347.
The inquiry by the Restrictive Practices Commission into the retail sale of grocery goods below cost commenced on 1 November 1979. The conduct of the inquiry is entirely a matter for the commission and I am not, therefore, in a position to indicate how long the inquiry will last or when the commission's report will be furnished to me.
It is not possible to indicate what action will be taken following the inquiry, as decisions in this regard must be taken in the light of examination of the commission's report of their inquiry. The powers given to me by section 8 of the Restrictive Practices Act, 1972, to take action following consideration of a report of the commission, are quite extensive.