§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection to what factors official estimates attribute the rise in the retail food index between January 1974 and March 1975 of 26 per cent.; and if she will estimate the contribution of each factor to this total rise.
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§ Mr. MaclennanThe increase of 26 per cent. in the food index between 15th
Weight Percentage change 15th January 1974 to 18th March 1975 Contribution to percentage change 19 Seasonal foods +14.9 3 81 Non-seasonal foods of which:— +28.7 23 of which:— 19.3 Mainly home-produced for direct consumption +8.9 2 23.4 Mainly imported for direct consumption +16.9 4 38.3 Mainly manufactured in the United Kingdom of which:— +45.3 17 15.7 Mainly manufactured in the United Kingdom from home-produced raw materials +33.1 5 22.6 Mainly manufactured in the United Kingdom from imported raw materials +53.7 12 100 Total Food Index +26.0 26 It is not possible to separate out all the causes of these increases and apportion the contribution of each of them, but I would agree with the Price Commission's latest report that labour costs are now the primary factor causing prices to rise.