§ 75. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the main changes in the prices of foodstuffs since the end of June; and what steps he is taking to apply the price standstill to foodstuffs.
§ Mr. John MackieBetween 21st June and 20th September (the latest date for which official figures are available) the retail food price index fell by nearly 3 per cent. There was a significant reduction in the price of the group of foodstuffs affected by seasonal variations—particularly in the price of vegetables—accompanied by virtual stability in the prices of other foodstuffs.
On the steps taken to ensure that food price changes are in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper "Prices and Incomes Standstill", I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 2nd November.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 735, c. 90.]