§ 15. Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price per cwt. of cocoa on the London market during each of the years 1966, 1965, 1964 and 1963.
§ Mr. HoyThe average spot price per cwt. of Ghana cocoa on the London market was: 1963 208s.; 1964 191s.; 1965 141s.; 1966 196s.
§ Mr. WalkerWhy is it that, even though cocoa prices fluctuate up and down, chocolate prices only go up? Does my hon. Friend recall that the alleged increase in cocoa prices was used on 23rd January as justification for allowing an increase in chocolate and confectionery prices? Do not the figures he has given make it abundantly clear that, over the period concerned, there has been stability or an average fall? Will he look at this with a view to reversing that decision?
§ Mr. HoyI regret to say that my hon. Friend is wrong. There was a fall in the price of chocolate when the price of cocoa fell. We took the matter up with the people concerned and a price reduction took place. As the prices over the period in question varied between 208s. and 141s., one can hardly regard that as stable.