§ 20. Mr. Dobsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to reduce food prices.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerSince May 1979, retail food prices have already fallen significantly in relation to other retail prices and wages. In the forthcoming common agricultural policy price-fixing for 1981 I shall be pressing for price restraint and the continuation of other measures of benefit to the United Kingdom consumer.
§ Mr. DobsonDoes the Minister of Agriculture accept that his position is absolutely intolerable in that he is probably the first Minister of Agriculture to countenance the introduction of a tax on food since the abolition of the Corn Laws?
§ Mr. WalkerI am also the Minister of Agriculture who has halved the rate of increase in food prices under the present Government.