§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the percentage increase in the food price index to the latest available date since February 1974.
§ Mr. MaclennanBetween 19th February 1974 and 16th May 1978, the index of retail food prices rose by 101.4 per cent. Comparison over such a protracted period is of limited value since it gives no indication of underlying price trends. For instance, at May 1978 the increase over the previous year was 7 per cent. In previous years, the last time the 12-months index was as low as this was July 1972, when it stood at 6.8 per cent.