HC Deb 19 July 1973 vol 860 cc171-2W
16. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the percentage increase in retail food prices has been since November 1972; and what is the annual rate of increase which this represents.

Mrs. Fenner

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) and Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 28th June. As to the second part, it would be misleading to calculate an annual rate of increase by reference to short-term movements because these are significantly affected by seasonal factors.

30. Mr. Skinner

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970 to the latest available date.

34. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970.

Mrs. Fenner

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) and others on 28th June.

32. Mr. Ashton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give, in percentage terms, the increase in the price of food since 1970 which is due to the abolition of subsidies and the floating of the £ sterling.

Mrs. Fenner

As to the first part of the Question, the effect on the food index has been very small. As to the second part, it is not possible to isolate the effects of the depreciation of sterling from the many other factors which have affected the level of food prices.

37. Mr. Carter

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the cost of food has risen since 28th June 1973.

Mrs. Fenner

Food index results are not yet available, but information available to the Ministry indicates that there has been little or no change in the overall level of food prices since 28th June.

45. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the percentage increase in prices since June 1970 to the latest available date on imported beef, home-killed pork, herring, haddock fillets, onions, tomatoes, carrots, cooking apples, cabbage and cauliflowers.

Mrs. Fenner

The following table shows the percentage increases in average retail prices, as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, between 16th June 1970 and 22nd May 1973, the latest date for which information is available:

Item Percentage Increase in Average Price
Beef: imported chilled
Chuck 85.2
Silverside (without bone) * 74.6
Rump steak* 63.2
Pork: home-killed
Leg (foot off) 46.1
Belly* 57.5
Loin (with bone) 45.7
Fresh fish
Herrings 86.0
Haddock fillets 76.6
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Onions 106.2
Tomatoes 25.7
Carrots 13.7
Cooking apples 108.8
Cabbage, greens 40.0
Cabbage, hearted 30.2
Cauliflower or broccoli 42.7
*Or Scottish equivalent.

Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which foodstuffs have increased in price as the direct or indirect result of entry into the Common Market; by how much; and why.

Mrs. Fenner

The only important foodstuffs which have shown a significant increase in price as a result of measures to bring our market arrangements into line with those of the Community are sugar, pigmeat products, corned beef and skimmed milk powder. The overall effect on retail food prices so far is estimated to be less than 1 per cent.