HC Deb 12 April 1973 vol 854 cc313-4W
2. Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price of flour at the most recent date and two years earlier.

Mrs. Fenner

The average retail price per 3-lb. bag of self-raising flour as collected for the Index of Retail Food Prices was 12.lp on 20th February 1973, the latest date available, compared with 10.6p on 16th February 1971.

17. Mr. William Price

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage food prices have risen since June 1970.

29. Mr. Sillars

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970.

Mr. Godber

Between 16th June 1970 and 20th February 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 29.7 per cent.

20. Mr. Horam

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual rate of increase in the food price index, based on the latest monthly figures.

Mr. Godber

Between 22nd February 1972 and 20th February 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 11.3 per cent.

21. Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the average retail price of fish since June 1970 and 6th November 1972, respectively.

Mrs. Fenner

In mid-February the average retail price of cod fillets, the main variety of fish consumed in this country, was 76 per cent. higher than in June 1970 and 10 per cent. higher than in November 1972.

22. Mr. Orme

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the average retail price of cheese since June 1970.

Mr. Godber

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 15th February to the hon. Member for Oldham, East (Mr. James Lamond).— [Vol. 850, c.380–81.]

23. Mr. Russell Kerr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage rise in the retail price of food since the Treaty of Accession was signed with the EEC.

Mr. Godber

Between 18th January 1972 and 20th February 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 12.1 per cent.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage the average price of beef has increased since June 1970.

Mrs. Fenner

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 5th April.—[Vol. 854, c.122.]

Mr. Douglas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the effect of the expected rise in the cost of feedingstuffs on the price of top quality beef.

Mrs. Fenner

We are not expecting increases in the prices of feedingstuffs in the foreseeable future.