§ 16. Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the retail price of home-killed brisket beef, breast of lamb, belly pork, back bacon and cheddar cheese since June 1970 to the latest available date.
§ Mrs. FennerThe following table shows the percentage increase in average retail prices, as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, between 16th June 1970 and 16th October 1973, the latest date for which information is available:—
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Item Percentage Increase in Average Price Home-killed brisket beef (with bone 99.5 Breast of lamb* (home-killed) 65.2 Breast of lamb* (imported) 134.9 Belly pork* 77.9 Back bacon, smoked 88.6 Back bacon, unsmoked 88.5 Cheddar type cheese 77.6 * Or Scottish equivalent.
§ 31. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present sum required to purchase food valued at £1 in June 1970.
§ Mrs. FennerBased on the movement in the food index between 16th June 1970 and 16th October 1973, the latest date for which information is available, £1–44.8p.
§ 32. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many food price increases have been recorded since 26th July; and what was the increase in the price of bread, butter, cheese, margarine, bacon and meat, respectively, since that date.
§ Mrs. FennerInformation is not available to answer the first part of the Question. In reply to the second part, the following table shows the changes in average retail prices as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices between 17th July and 16th October, the latest date for which information is available:
Item Change in Average Prices (p per lb except where stated) Bread + 0.5 per loaf Butter Nil to +;0.6 depending on origin Cheddar cheese + 0.3 Margarine + 0.6 to 0.8 according to quality Bacon + 4.3 to 8.6 depending on cut Beef: Home-killed - 0.2 to +1.2 depending on cut Imported +2.0 to 2.5 depending on cut Lamb: Home-killed +0.6 to 2.1 depending on cut Imported +2.6 to 8.6 depending on cut Pork +3.2 to 5.9 depending on cut Chicken: Frozen +4.2 Fresh/Chilled +3.4
§ 33. Mr. Meacherasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much fresh food prices have risen since 6th November 1972.
§ Mrs. FennerBetween 14th November 1972 and 16th October 1973, the latest date for which information is available, 461W the prices of fresh foods rose by 31.5 per cent.
39. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of a dozen eggs in June 1970; and what is the equivalent price today.
§ Mrs. FennerThe average price for brown and white standard grade eggs in June 1970 was 18.3p per dozen. The average price now is 42.5p per dozen for white and 43.2p for brown standard eggs.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much it would have cost to purchase 1 lb of bacon, 1½ dozen eggs, 1 lb of butter, six large loaves of bread, ½ lb of tea, 1 lb of sugar, 4 lb of beef, 1 lb of sausage, 1 lb of tomatoes and one cabbage in June 1970, using retail recommended price lists; and how this cost compares with October 1973.
§ Mrs. FennerThe following table, which is based on average retail prices collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, shows the cost on 16th June 1970 and 16th October 1973.
Cost June 1970 October 1973 1 lb bacon 29.5p 54.6p 1½ dozen eggs 30.2p 64.2p 1 lb butter 17.9p 22.4p 6 large loaves of bread 54.0p 67.8p ½ lb tea 15.6p 16.6p 1 lb sugar 3.7p 5.1p 4 lbs beef 150.0p 260.4p 1 lb sausages (pork) 18.8p 27.5p 1 lb tomatoes 17.9p 21.6p 1 lb cabbage, hearted 4.3p 5.0p TOTAL £3 41.9p £5 45.2p
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest retail food price trends.
§ Mrs. FennerI would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Central (Mr. Thomas Cox) and others.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a ministerial television appearance to explain the cause of price rises during the past three years.
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§ Mrs. FennerMy right hon. Friend has explained the reasons for the rise in food prices in both radio and television broadcasts on a number of occasions in recent months and he will continue to take such opportunities in future.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effects of the British-Icelandic agreement on the price of fish.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe loss of 30,000 tons or so of catch represents a considerable sacrifice to the distant-water sector of the fishing industry. But the total British landings by all sectors are around 900,000 tons, and this loss is not therefore likely to have a significant effect on prices. Other factors, such as the level of world demand, will have much more influence.