HC Deb 07 December 1971 vol 827 cc262-3W
30. Mrs. Doris Fisher

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the increased price of bread.

Mr. Prior

The leading plant bakers yesterday increased their recommended retail prices by ½p per loaf. I would also refer the hon. Member to the replies which my hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Churchill) on 2nd December and the right hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. Cledwyn Hughes) on 3rd December.—[Vol. 827, c.169–70; 177.]

34. Mr. John Wells

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average price of apples today compared with 1961; and what is the average price of all other foodstuffs in the cost-of-living index compared with 1961.

Mr. Prior

On 19th October, 1971, the average retail price of dessert apples was 8.5p per lb. No exactly comparable figures for 1961 are available but returns collected in a few large towns indicated an average retail price of dessert apples in mid-October, 1961, of 7.8p per lb. 1961 was, however, a year of exceptionally low output and high prices. In October, 1960, the average retail price was 4.8p and in October, 1962, it was 5.4p.

The All Food Index in October, 1971, was 158.0 and in October, 1961, was equivalent to 97.6 (adjusted to current base: January, 1962 = 100).

36. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the price of bread is to rise again; to what extent his recent levies have been responsible for this and previous price increases; and whether he will remove these levies.

Mr. Prior

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Mrs. Doris Fisher). As to the second part, there has been no change in the price of bread flour since the revised levy scheme for cereals was introduced last July, so it cannot have caused any increase in bread prices. The answer to the last part of the question is, "No".