asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the second report of the Joint Committee on Small Businesses, particularly in so far as it refers to multiple stores.

I have not yet had an opportunity to consider the Committee's recommendations. I will issue a statement on the matter when I have done so. I hope there will be a debate on it.

Would the Minister agree that the best way to achieve the desired results in this matter would be to have the report placed before the House?

There is no automatic right vested in this committee to have a debate but the reports are of such a quality that they deserve to be debated.

Could arrangements be made to have it debated at an early stage?

I do not know how early. Some of the recommendations are of a very long term character.