HC Deb 10 December 1973 vol 866 cc19-20W
Mr. Moate

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in the cost of food in the United Kingdom in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available, compared with the average rise in the six original member countries of the EEC.

Mrs. Fenner

The information for the most recent comparable periods is as follows:

CHANGES IN PRICE INDICES FOR FOOD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE SIX ORIGINAL MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EEC
Month of measurement Percentage increase 19721973
United Kingdom September 15.1
Belgium September 6.4
France August 10.6
Italy August 13.0
Luxembourg September 4.8
Netherlands September 7.8
West Germany September 5.6

Sources:

United Nations Monthly Bulletin of Statistics; Department of Employment.

Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish a table, from information available to him, showing the rise in the cost of food for each of the present member countries of the EEC and for each member of the old EFTA grouping from 1st January 1973 to the latest available date.

Mrs. Fenner

The information is as follows:

CHANGES IN CONSUMERS' PRICE INDICES FOR FOOD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, EEC AND EFTA MEMBER COUNTRIES.
Period of measurement year 1973 Percentage increase between months
United Kingdom January-October 13.7
Austria January-September 2.3
Belgium January-September 3.0
Denmark January-August 12.0
Finland January-September 11.7
France January-October 9.7
Iceland February-August 21.9
Irish Republic February-August 4.2
Italy January-August 7.8
Luxembourg January-September 2.6
Netherlands January-September 4.4
Norway January-September 3.2
Portugal January-August 2.6
Sweden January-August 2.7
Switzerland January-September 0.6
West Germany January-September 2.8

Sources:

United Nations Monthly Bulletin of Statistics; Department of Employment; Bulletin Mensuel de Statistique (France).