§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that "The Grocer", a copy of which has been sent to him, has published details of 4,000 food price increases during the past 19 weeks since devaluation; and as these increases are confirmed by his official published survey, what action he intends to take to protect the public in general, and those on limited incomes in particular, against these continuing rises in food prices.
§ Mr. John MackieMy right hon. Friend has repeatedly explained how these trade figures, which refer to both food and non-food items, can give the uninitiated a very misleading impression of the effect on the consumer.
Our retail price survey records price trends in retail shops. The figures quoted by my hon. Friend do not set out to do this, and so our survey neither confirms nor refutes them.
My right hon. Friends have made it quite plain that some price increases are to be expected, due to devaluation and 320W other reasons. However, our price surveillance arrangements are designed to ensure that any price increases of significance are justified, and we are satisfied that these arrangements are working well.