HC Deb 18 July 1972 vol 841 cc57-9W
9. Mr. Duffy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the increase in average family food prices per week as a result of floating the £ sterling.

22. Mr. Meacher

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he makes of the effect on food prices of the downward float of sterling.

35. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the rise in the cost of food for retirement pensioners, consequent upon the Government's decision to float the £ sterling.

Mr. Torney

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the devalued £ sterling has had to date upon food prices.

Mr. Prior

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave on 5th July to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Woof).—[Vol. 840, c.159.]

25. Mr. Ashton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of food prices is attributable to wages cost in 1972; and how this compares with 10 years ago.

Mr. Prior

Wage costs affect food prices both directly and indirectly at the various stages of the production and marketing of food. But it is not possible to give precise figures of the kind the hon. Member has in mind.

37. Mr. Torney

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the floating £ sterling, what action he is taking to protect pensioners and others in receipt of fixed incomes from the consequent rise in price of basic foods.

Mr. Prior

As I have already told the House, it is too early to judge the effect of the floating £ on food prices; but the Government have, of course, undertaken to review pensions annually.

53. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next proposes to meet representatives of retired pensioners organisations to discuss food prices following the floating of the £ sterling.

Mr. Prior

I have no plans at present to meet any representatives of pensioners' organisations.

54. Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price of a pound of rump steak at the latest available date and two years earlier.

Mr. Prior

In May this year the retail price of home-killed rump steak averaged 70.8p per lb. compared with 66.3p and 56.0p per lb. in May, 1971, and May, 1970, respectively. The comparable price of chilled imported rump steak is usually about 20 per cent. lower.

56. Mr. Torney

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the devalued £ sterling has had to date upon the price of meat.

Mr. Prior

None.

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