Prices (Hansard, 21 June 1973)

§ 16. Mrs. Renée Short
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many reductions in food prices have taken place since the introduction of value added tax; and what percentage reduction they represent.

§ Mrs. Fenner
The prices of over 3,400 food and drink products were reduced by major manufacturers and distributors and, in addition, many price reductions were made by smaller firms which were not required to make detailed returns to the Ministry. Retail prices of some items were cut by as much as 25 per cent., but the most usual reductions were 9 to 12 per cent.

§ 17. Mr. Torney
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase, by percentage and in money terms, in the average retail price of brisket beef, with bone, since July 1970.

§ Mrs. Fenner
Between July 1970 and April 1973 the average price of bone-in brisket from home-killed cattle has risen by about 16.8p per lb. or 90 per cent.

§ 18. Mr. Concannon
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage increase in the retail price of beef and fruit, respectively, since 167W the start of phase 1 of the Government's counter-inflationary measures.

§ Mrs. Fenner
The following table shows the percentage changes in average retail prices of beef and fruit, as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, between 14th November 1972 and 17th April 1973, the latest date for which information is available:

Item Percentage Change in Average Retail Price

Beef: home-killed

Chuck +22.8

Sirloin (without bone) +15.9

Silverside (without bone)^* +15.0

Back ribs (with bone)^* +21.8

Fore ribs (with bone) +20.6

Brisket (with bone) +30.1

Rump steak^* +10.7

Beef: imported chilled

Chuck +21.7

Silverside (without bone)^* +23.1

Rump steak^* +21.3

Fresh fruit

Apples, cooking +36.6

Apples, dessert -2.1

Pears, dessert +10.9

Oranges -6.5

Bananas +3.1

^* Or Scottish equivalent.

§ 19. Mr. Molloy
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on changes in food prices in the last month.

§ Mrs. Fenner
Between 20th March and 17th April, the latest date for which

£/ton 14th June 1972 Week-ending 13th December 1972 13th June 1973

£ £ £

^*Fish meal—

White fish (H.P.) … … … … … 92.33 165.00 235.00

Herring (Danish) … … … … … 98.00 183.00 299.50

^*Soya Meal (H.P.) … … … … … 56.88 106.00 192.83

Maize (U.S.A.) … … … … … 31.08 39.17 54.38

†Barley (H.G. feed) … … … … … 26.45 31.67 35.50

^* Paid by distributing dealers ex port store/mill at Bristol, Hull, Liverpool and London.

† Ex farm basis.

H.P.=home produced.

H.G.=home grown.

Prices shown are for 5-ton lots and exclude discounts.

Item	Percentage Change in Average Retail Price
Beef: home-killed
Chuck	+22.8
Sirloin (without bone)	+15.9
Silverside (without bone)^*	+15.0
Back ribs (with bone)^*	+21.8
Fore ribs (with bone)	+20.6
Brisket (with bone)	+30.1
Rump steak^*	+10.7
Beef: imported chilled
Chuck	+21.7
Silverside (without bone)^*	+23.1
Rump steak^*	+21.3
Fresh fruit
Apples, cooking	+36.6
Apples, dessert	-2.1
Pears, dessert	+10.9
Oranges	-6.5
Bananas	+3.1
^* Or Scottish equivalent.

£/ton	14th June 1972	Week-ending 13th December 1972	13th June 1973
						£	£	£
^*Fish meal—
White fish (H.P.)	…	…	…	…	…	92.33	165.00	235.00
Herring (Danish)	…	…	…	…	…	98.00	183.00	299.50
^*Soya Meal (H.P.)	…	…	…	…	…	56.88	106.00	192.83
Maize (U.S.A.)	…	…	…	…	…	31.08	39.17	54.38
†Barley (H.G. feed)	…	…	…	…	…	26.45	31.67	35.50
^* Paid by distributing dealers ex port store/mill at Bristol, Hull, Liverpool and London.
† Ex farm basis.
H.P.=home produced.
H.G.=home grown.
Prices shown are for 5-ton lots and exclude discounts.