asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will extend the terms of reference of the National Prices Commission to enable them when formulating recommendations for price increases to invite and take full account of consumers' interests as represented by housewives', tenants', residents', and kindred community associations.

As the National Prices Commission's membership is already broadly based, taking directly into account the interests of consumers, I do not consider that consultation on price increase proposals with persons or organisations outside of the National Prices Commission is necessary. In any case, adoption of the Deputy's suggestion would require the disclosure of confidential information in relation to persons and firms applying for price increases. Such disclosure would be contrary to the provision of section 25 of the Prices Act, 1958, which precludes the disclosure of any information obtained by virtue of the powers conferred by the Prices Acts.

Did not the Parliamentary Secretary or his Minister announce about two years ago that it was intended to set up district or regional price monitoring units composed of the kind of organisations mentioned by Deputy Timmons in his question?

The Deputy may be confusing this with two other initiatives, one of which was the setting up of price line offices at which people could make complaints about overcharging. That initiative was adopted and put into operation. There was a suggestion also, not by the Minister but by the commission, that local price committees be established. An attempt was made to do this in one provincial town but as it was not successful I gather it has not been pursued.

15.