§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what effect a reduction by half in the import price of cereals would have on the price of the principal foodstuffs, including meat and dairy products.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe Government have always made it clear that a fall in the world price of cereals of the magnitude postulated would reduce world prices for principal foodstuffs below Community levels. But it is, of course, unlikely, bearing in mind the increases throughout the world in the costs of production and marketing of cereals in the wake of the oil crises. The price of North American wheat imported into the United Kingdom is no lower than it was a year ago. The implications of the
384Wand currently; and what rates are payable at the present time on the Continent.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe latest estimate of the effect of membership on food prices, which shows that membership is at present having no significant effect overall, takes into account the effect of Community-financed subsidies as well as levies and duties. In the first quarter of 1975 membership was responsible for a slight overall reduction in prices, and there was no significant effect on the retail price of poultry or eggs. Imports into the United Kingdom of eggs and chickens, which comprise less than 3 per cent. of the United Kingdom requirements, were subject to the charges listed below. This also shows the charges applied in the original Member States.
increases in food production costs are discussed in paragraph 30 of the White Paper "Food from our Own Resources" (Cmnd 6020).