§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to give a calculated projection by his Department of likely increases in food prices up to the end of 1971.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give full and complete details of the actual or estimated rise in the price of lamb and mutton imported from Australia on the introduction of the import tax; and whether he will take steps to reduce the price of grain so as to reduce the cost of meat, eggs and milk, and assist in reducing the cost of living.
§ Mr. PriorThe effect of the proposed import levy arrangements on the price of imported Australian mutton and lamb will depend on a number of factors, and detailed estimates cannot be given.
353WThe answer to the second part of the question is, "No".
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in HANSARD as full and detailed a list as may be available, giving the actual or estimated rise in the various food Prices which will occur as from 1st April on the imposition of the Common Market style of minimum import prices on basic foods such as beef, lamb, cereals and dairy produce.
§ Mr. PriorI would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to him on 7th December and to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Mrs. Doris Fisher) on 8th December. From the former the hon. Member will note that I did not say that the interim levy arrangements would be brought into operation on 1st April but "after April". —[Vol. 808, c.39–40; and c. 60–1]
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase in food prices since the last available date.
§ Mr. PriorThe latest available figures are those I gave in reply to the hon. Members for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) and for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) on 19th January.—[Vol. 809. c. 694–6.]