§ 36. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is aware that since April bacon prices have risen by 5s. in the £, ham by 3s. in the £, butter Is. 6d. in the £, sugar 4s. in the £, jams and syrups Is. 6d. in the £, canned fruits l0d. in the £ and cheese by 5d. in the £ and, as these increases have affected retirement pensioners and those in receipt of welfare benefits, what action he proposes to take to safeguard them from this inflationary process.
§ Mrs. ThatcherWhat I am aware of is that, taking into account reductions in the price of some foods as well as increases in the price of others, there has been a fall of over 2 per cent, in the Ministry of Labour's Index of Retail Food Prices since April. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.