§ Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will list those items of food that have been cheaper in price in the United Kingdom as a result of our membership of the European Community in the last two years, indicating by how much those items were cheaper; and if she will also show what the effect of MCA and ACA payments have been on the price of each commodity imported into the United Kingdom and the effect on prices to the British consumer of EEC social measures.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe effect on food prices of our membership of the Community has varied from time to time. During the first quarter of 1975 official 385W estimates show that membership of the Community was making food prices in the United Kingdom rather lower than they would otherwise have been. Sugar, cereals, some dairy products, fruit and vegetables, and beef for certain categories of consumer have at various times been cheaper as a result of our membership.
The precise effect of monetary and accession compensatory amounts on the retail price of individual foods is difficult to estimate because part of their effect is shown on imported grain used as animal feed. The value of monetary compensatory amounts varies with fluctuations in the value of sterling. At present m.c.a.s. counteract the effect of the fall in the value of sterling on the prices of many of our food imports.
The beef coupon scheme is estimated to have saved ½ per cent. on the Food Index. EEC funds also contribute to the subsidy on butter.