§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, in view of the current year's good potato and cereal harvest, if he will refer to the Price Commission the profit margins and prices of producers and distributors of potato and cereal products; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Maclennan:The Price Commission's latest report on potatoes, which covered the period from May to mid-September, showed that retail prices were significantly reduced as a result of supplies returning to normal. My right hon. Friend has told the Commission that there is no need for monitoring of prices and 703W distributors' margins for potatoes to continue as a separate exercise. The Commission will however continue to monitor wholesale and retail prices for fresh foods under its standing reference on the subject, and to submit regular reports. There is no evidence to suggest that prices for cereals do not reflect the quantity and quality of this year's harvest. Producers' returns for cereals are primarily determined by CAP support arrangements and there is a guaranteed price system for potatoes in the United Kingdom. These are both matters for my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture.