HC Deb 05 April 1973 vol 854 cc122-3W
18. Mr Stonehouse

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what period he intends to hold the price of bread at its present level.

Mrs. Fenner

The price of bread will not go up before 30th April. Price increases after that date will be governed by the requirements of stage 2 of the counter-inflation programme.

23. Mr. David Clark

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual rate of increase in food prices since 6th November 1972.

Mrs. Fenner

Owing to the influence of seasonal and other short-term factors, it would not be meaningful to calculate an annual rate of increase by reference to the movement in food prices since 6th November 1972.

24. Mr. Pendry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the percentage increases in the retail price of beef to date from June 1970 and 6th November 1972, respectively.

Mrs. Fenner

Following is the information to 20th February 1973, the latest available date. 14th November 1972 is the nearest available date to 6th November.

Percentage increases
16th June 1970 to 20th February 1973 14th November 1972 to 20th February 1973
Beef (home-killed)
Chuck 72.6 25.1
Sirloin (without bone) 65.2 16.7
Silverside (without bone) 57.2 16.8
Back ribs (with bone) 74.9 24.1
Fore ribs (with bone) 72.9 23.2
Brisket (with bone) 96.7 31.6
Rump steak 53.3 11.7
Beef (imported.chilled)
Chuck 79.9 19.6
Silverside (without bone) 67.2 20.0
Rump steak 47.6 13.5

Source: General Index of Retail Prices— Department of Employment.

26. Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current price of butter in the United Kingdom and what is the

In view of the differences in quality, dates and definition, precise comparisons between retail prices for butter in the various member States cannot be made. The following Official quotations are the latest available:
Country Type Pence per Ib. Date
United Kingdom … … … … New Zealand … … 22.3 … February
Denmark … … … … salted … … 41.3 … January
Republic of Ireland … … … … creamery … … 27.8 … February
Belgium … … … … dairy … … 48.6 … February
France … … … … slab dairy … … 54.1 … January
West Germany … … … … not specified … … 51.3 … January
Italy … … … … not specified … … 57.5 … October
Netherlands … … … … dairy … … 50.6 … January

SOURCES:

United Kingdom: Department of Employment.

Denmark: Detail Priser.

Republic of Ireland: Irish Statistical Office.

Belgium: Moniteur Beige.

France: Bulletin Mensuelle de Statistique.

West Germany: Preise Lohne Wirtschaftrecbnungen Reihe 6.

Italy: Bollettino Mensile di Statistica.

Netherlands: Prijsindexcijfers van de Gezinconsumptie.

NOTE:

Prices calculated from rates of exchange for February except Italy which was for October.

Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage increase has taken place over the past 12 months in the price of cooking onions; and if he will give the reasons for this increase.

Mrs. Fenner

The latest figures from the index of retail prices relate to 20th February 1973. Average onion prices were then 50 per cent, higher reflecting shorter supplies from home and abroad compared with a year ago.