HC Deb 16 December 1974 vol 883 cc1112-3
28. Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if any considerations of medical necessity are taken into account when her Department is considering price increases on diabetic foods.

Mr. Maclennan

In scrutinising proposals for price increases on diabetic foods, the Prime Commission applies the same criteria as it does to other products.

Mr. Dodsworth

Will the Minister bear in mind that people who require diabetic foods are by definition restricted in their shopping alternatives and opportunities, and that increases in price of more than 50 per cent. have borne very heavily upon diabetics of all income groups, because diabetic necessity qualifies itself not by income group but by medical conditions?

Mr. Maclennan

Diabetics benefit from the Government's subsidy programme and can eat most of the foods on the subsidy list. However, most of the foods specially used for diabetics are intended to vary their diet. I recognise that there have been substantial cost increases for the industry in raw material prices in particular. It would be difficult for us to subsidise them away.

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