HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc190-1W
Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he raised no objection to the proposals of a pickle manufacturer, details of which have been sent to him, to reduce the net weights of his packs from 6½ ounces to 6 ounces and from 10½ ounces to 9½ ounces without a reduction in prices.

Mr. Hoy

These weight reductions were incidental to the introduction of a new and improved style of jar. In operating the policy of price restraint, it is not our intention to discourage manufacturers from introducing new products or from improving the presentation of existing packs. In this case, moreover, we understand that the change to this new pack has reduced production costs, so enabling the manufacturer to absorb increased raw material costs which would otherwise have resulted in a greater increase in price.