§ 11. Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will amend the Price Code so as to exclude the weighting of price increases in diabetic products with costs not related to their manufacture.
Mr. Alan WilliamsMy right hon Friend told the House on 17th April that she had asked the Price Commission to look into the price of diabetic foods. It will be decided whether there is need for any action when we have seen the commission's report.
§ Mr. RookerMay I give my hon. Friend an example of the need for action? 949 One of my constituents went to complain about an increase in the price of diabetic chocolate biscuits at Boots and was told that the reason for a massive increase was the big increase in the price of sugar.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI can understand the consumer's no doubt bemused reaction. However, it is interesting to note that although the price of sugar has risen massively, the price of sorbitol, which is a substitute, is still twice as high as that of sugar. We must wait until we have received the report and then consider what action may be taken