§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the official estimate of food price increases since July 1966 of 1.1 per cent. is much smaller than the real increases in the shops; and if he will ensure that the official index reflects more accurately the actual price increases.
§ Mr. GunterI am satisfied that the Index of Retail Prices reflects accurately movements in the average level of prices of food. It is based on prices which are collected each month by my local officers from nearly 1,000 retailers in 200 towns spread throughout the United Kingdom in respect of about 100 items of food. In addition prices are collected in a smaller number of towns in respect of some 60 other food items.