HC Deb 19 March 1987 vol 112 cc598-9W
16. Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for each year from 1983 to 1986 what was the rise in (a) the price of food and (b) the retail prices index.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The annual average increase in retail prices in percentage terms for each year from 1983 to 1986 for food was 3.2, 5.6, 3.1 and 3.3. For all items the figures were 4.6, 5.0, 6.1 and 3.4. As my hon. Friend will see, food prices have remained stable over this period.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show the average price to the

Average Retail Prices in the United Kingdom1
19602 1970 1980 1986 1980–1986

percentage change

Actual Real (1980)
Prices Prices
Milk (p/pint) 3.3 4.7 16.5 23.9 46 -1
Bread, White Sliced (p/800g) 4.8 9.1 33.7 43.0 28 -13
Bread, White Unwrapped (p/800g) 8.9 36.6 53.7 47 3
3Beer (Index 1980=100) 19 31 100 190 90 +30
1 Prices collected in the construction of the retail prices index. Where unit prices have changed an equivalent price has been calculated.
2Average annual prices for 1960 are not readily available and the prices quoted are for October 1960. The October 1986 bread price is for a large white wheat loaf.
3 No Change.

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