§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the percentage increase in all retail food prices in the United Kingdom since January 1973 compared with Germany, France, Holland, Belgium and Denmark.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe increases, calculated from the respective food indices for each country, are given below. The comparison is complicated by the different methodologies adopted in preparing each index. For example, the inclusion of alcoholic drink and tobacco varies between countries.
INCREASES IN FOOD PRICES Percentage January 1973-February 1978 February 1977-February 1978 West Germany*† … 26.5 2.2 France* … 74.7 10.9 Holland* … 39.9 1.9 Belgium* … 54.1 2.8 Denmark … 79.8 13.0 United Kingdom … 137.0 6.9 Source: OECD Main Economic Indicators. * Includes beverages. † Includes tobacco.