§ 92. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the reasons for the increase in the price of meat and bacon, as revealed in the Index of Retail Prices, of 10 per cent. between January, 1962, and April, 1964; what increase has there been since 26W then; and what was the comparable figure in October, 1951.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThe rise in retail prices of meat since January, 1962, was generally in line with the increase in other food prices up to March. The rise in the April index reflects the rise in carcase meat prices especially beef, resulting from the reduced level of imported supplies. More recent detailed information is not yet available. It is estimated that the comparable increase in the index of retail prices between January, 1952, and January, 1962, was about 44 per cent. It is not practicable to carry the estimate back to October, 1951.