HC Deb 19 October 1971 vol 823 c85W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to appoint an independent committee of investigation into the matter of food distributors profiteering out of the conversion to decimal currency.

Mr. Prior

No.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he now has of unwarranted food price increases consequent on decimalisation.

Mr. Prior

It is clear from letters I have received from the public and from reports in the Press that there is still some confusion about the true value of the new coins. This may have affected the extent of consumer resistance to higher prices and a small minority of less scrupulous traders may have taken advantage of the situation.