HC Deb 24 March 1970 vol 798 cc393-6W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why the Food Index rose by 14 per cent. between November, 1967, and January, 1970; what action he took to limit the rise; whether he will publish details of reductions in prices during this period which were brought about by his Departments' activities; and what action he proposes to take to reduce prices shown in the Food Index in the future;

(2) why, between 14th November, 1967, and 20th January, 1970, the price of home-killed leg of pork rose by 7.6 per cent., belly by 5.8 per cent., and loin, with bone, by 9.6 per cent.; what action he took to limit these price increases; and what action he proposes to take to reduce same in the future;

(3) why, during the period between 14th November, 1967, and 20th January, 1970, the price of home-killed loin of lamb, with bone, rose by 15.1 per cent., breast by 5.6 per cent., best end of neck by 11.7 per cent., shoulder, with bone, by 11.3 per cent., and leg, with bone, by 14.1 per cent.; what action he took to limit these increases; and what action he proposes to take in the future to reduce these prices;

(4) why, between mid-October, 1964, and mid-October, 1969, the price of boned sirloin rose by 21.9 per cent.; what action he took to contain this rise in price; and what action he proposes to take to reduce the cost of meat in general and boned sirloin in particular;

(5) why, between mid-oOctober, 1964, and mid-October, 1969, the price of leg of pork rose by 11.2 per cent. and loin of pork on the bone by 14.5 per cent.; what action he took to limit these price rises; and what action he proposes to take to reduce same;

(6) why, between mid-October, 1964, and mid-October, 1969, the price of cooked sliced ham, without bone, rose by 21.3 per cent.; what action he took to limit this increase; and what action he proposes to take to reduce the price of ham;

(7) why, during the period from mid-October, 1964, to mid-October, 1969, the price of back smoked bacon rose by 15.9 per cent. and streaky smoked bacon by 13.2 per cent.; what action he took to limit these increases; and what action he proposes to take to reduce same in the future;

(8) why, during the period from mid-October, 1964, to mid-October, 1969, the price of home-killed brisket of beef, with bone, rose by 9.3 per cent.; what action he took to limit this increase; and what action he proposes to take in the future to reduce the price of brisket of beef;

(9) why, during the period mid-October, 1964, and mid-October, 1969, the price of white wheat bread rose by 6.1 per cent.; what action he took to limit this price increase; and what action he proposes to take in the future to reduce the price of bread;

(10) why, between 14th November, 1967, and 20th January, 1970, the price of home-killed chuck beef rose by 14.8 per cent.; what action he took to limit this price increase; and what action he proposes to take to reduce same in the future;

(11) why, between 14th November, 1967, and 20th January, 1970, almost 70 different items and types of food rose in price by amounts rising to 25.4 per cent.; what action he took to limit them; and what action he proposes to take in the future to reduce them;

(12) why, between 14th November, 1967, and 20th January, 1970, the price of home-killed sirloin, without bone, rose by 20.7 per cent., silverside, without bone, by 17.8 per cent., back ribs, with bone, by 11.8 per cent., fore ribs, with bone, by 12.7 per cent., and rump steak by 25.4 per cent.; what action he took to limit the increases; and what action he proposes to reduce these prices in future;

(13) why, between 14th November, 1967, and 20th January, 1970, the price of cod fillets rose by 6.3 per cent., haddock fillets by 9.9 per cent., smoked haddock by 7.8 per cent., halibut cuts by 22.5 per cent., herring by 3.8 per cent., kippers by 3.2 per cent., and tinned red salmon by 14.3 per cent.; what action he took to limit the increases; and what action he proposes to take in the future to reduce same;

(14) why, between 14th November, 1967, and January, 1970, the price of collar of bacon increased by 7.1 per cent., gammon by 6.9 per cent., middle cut smoked by 8.5 per cent., back smoked by 10.9 per cent., back unsmoked by 10.7 per cent., and streaky by 8.1 per cent.; what action he took to limit the increases; and what action he proposes to take to reduce same in the future.

Mr. Hoy

A number of factors contributed to the increases which occurred in food prices over the periods mentioned by my hon. Friend. Between 14th November, 1967 and 26th January, 1970, the main factors were increases in the cost of imported foods and raw materials (including the effects of devaluation); the increased incidence of purchase tax on certain items; increases in processing and distribution costs; and the relative shortage of some commodities in relation to demand. In addition, the prices of some foods normally show a seasonal increase between November and January. Our arrangements for price surveillance cover movements in all significant food and drink prices and ensure that increases are consistent with the Government's prices policy.

As regards the individual commodities mentioned by my hon. Friend, the position is as follows: BEEF, PORK AND LAMB: Prices are affected by a number of factors, in particular the interaction of seasonal and other changes in supply and demand. Averaging of prices at retail level also affects the prices of particular cuts of meat. Both beef and pork are being given priority within the Government's selective expansion pro- gramme and home production of lamb is also being encouraged. BACON AND HAM: Prices are affected by seasonal and other changes in supply and demand and these vary for different cuts. The market for bacon and ham operates within the framework of the Bacon Market Sharing Understanding which aims to maintain stability at prices reasonable to both producers and consumers; every effort is made in its operation to ensure that the amount and phasing of supplies are in accordance with these objectives. BREAD: The increases have been mainly due to increased costs of production and distribution and to higher flour prices. There have been three examinations of this industry by the N.B.P.I. and another is in progress. FISH: The increases have been due to seasonal and other changes in supply and demand which have affected both fresh and canned fish. It should be noted that all the differences in prices given in my replies to my hon. Friend on 12th February and 11th March were expressed in pence, and not in percentage terms.—[Vol. 705, c. 408–10; Vol. 797, c. 308–12.]