§ 91. Mr. Staintonasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware of the recently accelerating increase in both the range and dimensions of the prices of foodstuffs; and what action he will take to curb this increase.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he intends to take to curb the rise in retail prices.
§ Mr. George BrownEarlier this month, I expressed the Government's concern at a number of increases in retail prices announced by the food and other trades. There have since been encouraging developments. In particular a number of trading organisations have announced their intention, even at some cost to themselves, of keeping prices stable. Clearly the public also have a part to play.
We intend to set up as soon as possible machinery for reviewing individual cases of increases in prices and incomes as set out in the Statement of Intent signed last month with both sides of industry.