§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the percentage increase in wholesale and retail potato prices, respectively, since June 1970; and what is this percentage increase calculated at constant August 1976 sterling values.
§ Mr. MaclennanPercentage increases in whole sale and retail prices for potatoes to September 1976, the latest date for which information is available are given in the table below. Increases for both old and new potatoes have been separately distinguished because of the restricted period of availability of the latter.
June 1970 to June 1976 September 1970 to September 1976 (percentage increase) Wholesale Prices: New Potatoes … 223 — Old Potatoes … — 855 Retail Prices: New Potatoes … 227 — Old Potatoes— red … — 436 white … — 522 It is not meaningful to compare movements in the price of potatoes and movements in the value of sterling.