asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the increasing prices of certain essential commodities such as clothing, he proposes to reintroduce fixed prices for essential commodities.

The prices of a number of essential commodities such as bread, sugar, tea, meat, milk, cheese and butter are fixed by Order. In the case of other essentials where full supplies allow for normal competitive conditions, it is not proposed to control prices by Order.

Would the Minister consider introducing proposals to reduce the prices of these commodities by 30 per cent., as was promised by the Clann na Poblachta Party?