Colm M. Hilliard
Ceist:139 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give examples of the recommended retail price of some staple foodstuffs as a result of the reductions in VAT in the 1990 budget.
Written Answers. - Recommended Retail Prices.
For individual foodstuffs I do not have information on recommended retail prices, the use of which I do not consider to be in the best interest of competition.
Most foodstuffs, and particularly staple foodstuffs are currently zero-rated for VAT and consequently the forthcoming reduction in the VAT rates from 25 to 23 per cent will not apply directly to them.
Colm M. Hilliard
Ceist:140 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give details of the recommended retail price of both leaded and unleaded petrol before the 1990 budget; and the recommended prices in both gallons and litres.
Prior to the 1990 budget, the maximum retail price for leaded premium petrol was 60.2p per litre (273.7p per gallon) as fixed by S.I. No. 359 of 1989, Maximum Prices (Petroleum Products) (No. 9) Order, 1989. The Deputy will be aware that prices lower than the maximum operate in the market.
My Department do not have official information on the retail price of unleaded petrol prior to the 1990 budget. This product was not at that time subject to price control.