Control of Prices Act, 1932

Proceedings consequential on price investigation.

25.—(1) Where after the completion of a price investigation the Commission are of opinion that the prices the subject of such investigation are not unreasonably high the Commission shall report accordingly to the Minister.

(2) Where, after the completion of a price investigation into the retail and wholesale prices charged for a commodity, the Commission are of opinion that unreasonably high retail prices are being charged for such commodity but that the wholesale prices charged for such commodity are not unreasonably high, the Commission shall give public notice, which shall not specify the names of the persons by whom such unreasonably high retail prices are being charged, in such manner as they think best suited for bringing to the notice of such persons such opinion and such notice shall state the price to which such prices should in the opinion of the Commission be reduced and require such reduction to be made within a time specified in such notice.

(3) Where, after the completion of a price investigation into the retail and wholesale prices charged for a commodity, the Commission are of opinion that both such prices are unreasonably high, the Commission shall give public notice, which shall not specify the names of the persons by whom such prices are being charged, in such manner as they think best suited for bringing to the notice of such persons such opinion and such notice shall state the prices to which such prices should in the opinion of the Commission be reduced respectively and require such reductions to be made within, a time specified in such notice.

(4) Where, after the completion of a price investigation into the retail and wholesale prices charged for a commodity, the Commission are of opinion that unreasonably high wholesale prices are being charged for such commodity but that the retail prices charged for such commodity are not unreasonably high or where, after the completion of a price investigation into the wholesale prices charged for a commodity, the Commission are of opinion that unreasonably high wholesale prices are being charged for such commodity the Commission shall give public notice, which shall not specify the names of the persons by whom such unreasonably high wholesale prices are being charged, in such manner as they think best suited for bringing to the notice of such persons such opinion and such notice shall state the price to which such prices should in the opinion of the Commission be reduced and require such reduction to be made within a time specified in such notice.

(5) If as a result of a notice under this section the reduction or respective reductions required by such notice is or are made within the time specified in such notice, the Commission shall report accordingly to the Minister.

(6) If notwithstanding a notice under this section any reduction required by such notice is not made within the time specified in such notice the Commission shall make a report to the Minister setting out—

(i) the reasons for their opinion that the prices or respective prices required by such notice to be reduced are unreasonably high,

(ii) their opinion as to whether such prices are influenced by any agreement or combination for interference with trade competition,

(iii) their opinion as to the price or respective prices to which such prices should be reduced and the reasons for such opinion,

(iv) their opinion as to the best methods of enforcing the reduction or respective reductions required by such notice,

(v) if in the opinion of the Commission an order or orders should be made by the Minister under the next following section, the area or respective areas to which such order or orders should apply.

(7) Every report made by the Commission under the immediately preceding sub-section shall be laid by the Minister before each House of the Oireachtas unless the Minister is of opinion that it is not desirable in the public interest so to do.