§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why Cheddar cheese has risen by 22 per cent., butter 50 per cent., cod 20 per cent., eggs 16 to 29.6 per cent., breast of lamb 15.9 per cent., and beef between 14.1 per cent. and 22.5 per cent. during the 11 months between 16th June, 1970 and 18th May, 1971; and when he expects to be able to publish the figures for June, 1971;
(2) in view of the fact that between 16th June, 1970 and 18th May, 1971 staple food prices have risen by amounts up to 36.3 per cent. and on average by 25 per cent., whether he will, as soon as figures are available, make a public announcement of the change in the figures as published up until 18th May, 1971 to include the month of June, 1971.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe food index as a whole rose by 10.4 per cent. between June, 1970, and May, 1971. As for the individual commodities, some of the figures quoted by the hon. Member derive from the reply I gave him on 29th June but I cannot confirm the others. The price increases which have occurred for these commodities mainly reflect shortages of supplies in relation to demand on the United Kingdom or world markets. The average retail prices on 22nd June of about 80 principal food items will be published as usual, at about the end of July.—[Vol. 820, c.71–2.]