§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that there have been 11 increases in the price of bread in the past nine years, and that the latest 10 per cent. increase in the price of the smaller loaf as against 5 per cent. for the larger size will bring in an additional £10 million per annum to the industry; and, in view of the fact that 70 per cent. of the total sales are controlled by five major bakery groups to what extent his Department investigated and took into account the financial position of these groups before agreeing to the recent price increase.
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§ Mr. HoyI am aware of the bread price changes that have taken place in the last decade and of the revenue yield of each to the industry. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Derek Page) on 19th December.—[Vol. 793, c.425–6.]