Food Index

HC Deb 25 May 1972 vol 837 cc467-9W

Mr. Kinsey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the mid-April results of the Food Index.

Mr. Prior

The table below sets out the Budget estimates for expenditure from the Guarantee Section for each accounting period since 1968–69. The final figures for actual expenditure are not available as the accounts for the years in question are still open.

Mr. Prior

Between mid-March and mid-April, 1972, the Food Index fell by 0.8 per cent. While this fall was partly the result of lower prices for seasonal foods such as eggs, tomatoes and fresh vegetables, the main factor was the special action I announced on 8th March to help keep food prices down. The general improvement in the situation is demontrated by the index of non-seasonal foods which showed an increase between October, 1971, and April, 1972, of only 2.7 per cent., compared to 5.5 per cent. in the preceding six months.—[Vol. 832, c. 359–60.]