§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will request the new Food Prices Panel to investigate the current retail price of cheese.
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§ Mrs. FennerIt is intended that, when stage 2 of the price and pay policy comes into operation, cheese will be treated as a processed product. This means that those engaged in the manufacture or distribution of cheese in the United Kingdom will be subject to the requirements of the Price and Pay Code, which will be administered, so far as foodstuffs are concerned, by the Food Panel of the Price Commission.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the percentage increase in the retail price of all cheeses, or of all of which he has information, in the United Kingdom between 20th February 1971 and 1972, and to the most recent convenient date.
§ Mrs. FennerThe Department of Employment's General Index of Retail Prices indicates that the price of cheddar cheese —all varieties—rose between 16th February 1971 and 22nd February 1972 by 48 per cent.; and between 22nd February 1972 and 16th January 1973—the latest available date—by 4 per cent. Retail prices of individual varieties are not collected for the purpose of the index.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the retail prices of all cheeses, or of all of which he has information, in the United Kingdom on 1st February 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively.
§ Mrs. FennerThe Department of Employment's General Index of Retail Prices shows that average prices of cheddar cheese—all varieties—on dates nearest to 1st February were:
p. per pound 19th January 1971 20.4 18th January 1972 29.1 16th January 1973 31.9 Retail prices of individual varieties are not collected for the purpose of the index.