asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the date the standstill order on alcoholic drinks was introduced, the percentage by which prices have been allowed to increase since then (a) overall and (b) exclusive of increases necessitated by increase in tax or wholesale prices, and if the percentage increase in average cash margins per item allowed to publicans under the order increase exceeds the percentage increase in either the consumer price index or the index of industrial earnings over the same period.
Written Answers. - Alcoholic Drink Prices.
341.
The first standstill order in respect of alcoholic drink was introduced on 24 November 1965 and was rescinded on 21 November 1968.
Control was reintroduced on 17 March 1977 by means of the Retail Prices (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1977 which froze prices at the levels being charged on 11 March 1977. I assume that this is the order to which the Deputy refers.
As the Deputy will be aware, a standstill type order differs from other maximum prices orders in that no specific maximum price is set. The standstill orders fix prices at the levels being charged on a particular date by individual publicans. As prices vary, according to the type of establishment and area of the country, it is not possible to give the percentage increase requested by the Deputy.
However, the following are the overall increases allowed in the price of alcoholic drink during the period March 1977 to November 1979 in:—
|
(a) Dublin City and County |
Beer |
Spirits per ½ glass |
|
12p per pint |
10p on whiskey |
|
|
6p per ½ pint |
9½ on gin and vodka |
|
|
(b) Remainder of Country |
11p per pint |
8p on whiskey |
|
6p per ½ pint |
7½p on gin and vodka |
|
|
(all the above amounts are inclusive of VAT at a rate of 10%) |
||
|
The net increases in publicans' margins in the same period (i.e. less VAT, excise duty, manufacturer-wholesaler increases) are as follows: |
||
|
(a) Dublin City and County |
Beer |
Spirits per ½ glass |
|
3.86p per pint |
4.85p on whiskey |
|
|
1.93p per ½ pint |
4.74p on gin and vodka |
|
|
(b)Remainder of Country |
2.95p per pint |
4.03p on whiskey |
|
1.92p per ½ pint |
3.92p on gin and vodka |