asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the growing public concern about the abuses arising from the sale of wrapped and packaged foods and household goods not marked with any weight; and if he will introduce legislation to compel retailers to indicate the weight on all packaged goods.

120.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take steps to ensure that supermarkets selling foods wrapped and unwrapped will be required to display the weight and price of each article.

121.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that commodities are being sold to housewives which are unmarked in regard to their weight; whether he will ensure that all packaged goods are marked with the correct weight; whether he is aware that supermarkets, during the Christmas season, are selling goods under-weight and unmarked; what action he proposes on the matter; and if he is satisfied that present machinery is adequate to cater for this problem.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 120 and 121 together.

While there is no doubt that some shoppers would wish to have fuller information about the contents of packaged goods, I am not aware of any significant abuses in this connection. The general impression is that members of the public are, by and large, well able to look after themselves in matters relating to weights and measures. I do not think that it would be desirable to introduce legislation on this subject until decisions can be reached on the general question of consumer protection. This is a matter which I am keeping under review.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that goods have been displayed in supermarkets in Dublin with marked prices but no weight and would he agree this is a despicable practice? Is he further aware that a half-pound of cheese could be sold at the rate of 5/- a lb. when in fact cheese was selling throughout the city at 3/4d a lb? Will the Minister use his powers under the Prices Act to see that supermarkets in future not merely indicate the price of the goods but the weight as well?

A good deal of publicity has been given to a letter from the Housewives Association of 25th November, 1965, condemning the matters of which the Deputy has now spoken. I believe this letter has had a considerable effect on the public in regard to this matter. I do not think the Minister has power to act——

The Minister has in fact the power. It is not a matter for the Housewives Association. It concerns every housewife in the country, and at a time when a Prices Act is on the Statute Book——

What is the question?

The supplementary question arises from Question No. 119.

The Deputy is not asking a question; he is making a statement.

Will the Minister take steps to see that the weight as well as the price will be displayed on packets of dried fruit and other such packeted products?

Question No 122 postponed.