§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much food prices increased in 1969; and what are the equivalent figures for 1970 to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:Between 1969 and 1968 the Food Index showed an increase of 6.3 per cent. while household expenditure on food increased by 5.5 per cent. Between January and March, 1970, the Food Index showed an increase of 2.1 per cent. compared to 2.6 per cent. in the corresponding period of 1969. It should be noted that normally, because of seasonal factors, increases in the index in the early months of the year are disproportionately large. No information is yet available about household expenditure on food during 1970.