Control of Prices Act, 1937

Price orders.

27.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Minister may whenever and so often as he thinks fit, by order (in this Act referred to as a price order) fix, in relation to a commodity, the maximum price at which a specified kind (defined in such manner and by reference to such things as the Minister thinks proper) of such commodity may be sold or offered for sale in a specified area when sold or offered for sale under such set or sets of conditions (defined in such manner and by reference to such things as the Minister thinks proper) as shall be specified in such order, and may so fix different prices in relation to different such sets of conditions.

(2) The following provisions shall apply in respect of every price order made in relation to a commodity, that is to say:—

(a) such price order may relate to more than one kind of such commodity, and in that case may contain different provisions in relation to such kind of such commodity;

(b) the area to which such order is to apply may be either the whole of Saorstát Eireann or any specified part thereof;

(c) such order shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made;

(d) such order shall specify the date on which it is to come into force, and such date shall not be earlier than the date of publication thereof in the Iris Oifigiúil;

(e) the Minister may by order under this paragraph revoke or amend such price order, and the provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this sub-section shall apply to every order made under this paragraph.

(3) Whenever the Minister makes, in relation to any commodity, a price order he may, if he so thinks fit, do by such order, the following things, that is to say:—

(a) declare that any other commodity, the whole or any part of which is in his opinion, the principal or only constituent of such first-mentioned commodity, shall, for the purposes of such price order, be the principal constituent of such first-mentioned commodity;

(b) fix any maximum price included in such order as a variable price dependant, in the manner provided by such price order, on the price which is, by virtue of the next following section, the standard price for the time being of such other commodity.

(4) Whenever—

(a) a price order is in force, and

(b) such order fixes a price at which a kind of a commodity may be sold or offered for sale in the area to which such order applies when sold or offered for sale under a particular set of conditions,

every person who sells or offers for sale any such kind of such commodity in such area under such set of conditions at a price in excess of such maximum price shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first offence under this section, to a fine not exceeding five pounds, or, in the case of a second or any subsequent offence under this section, to a fine not exceeding ten pounds or at the discretion of the Court to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.