§ 54. Mr. Kinseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much food prices have risen since the 18th June, 1970; and what estimate he has of the proportion of that increase attributable to wage increases awarded since that date.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe Food Index increased by 3.8 per cent. between 16th June, 1970, and 19th January, 1971, the latest date for which figures are available. Because higher labour costs affect food and other prices both directly and indirectly, it is not possible to establish the precise proportion of the increase which is attributable to this factor; but it is clear that wages have been by far the largest single cause of price increases since June, 1970, and, indeed, since autumn 1969.