HC Deb 22 October 1973 vol 861 cc404-5W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of rises in retail prices of food since June 1970 has been caused by the de facto devaluation of the £ sterling.

Mrs. Fenner

It is not possible to isolate the effects of movements in exchange rates of the £ sterling from the many other factors which have affected the level of retail food prices since June 1970.

Yield per acre (cwt.)
Commodity 1973 (estimate) 1972 1970–72 average
Wheat 35.4 33.7 34.0
Barley 31.9 31.4 28.8
Oats 32.6 32.7 30.1

Yields in Scotland and Northern Ireland are also good. On the basis of estimates to date total United Kingdom production is expected slightly to exceed last year's record of 15¼ million tons.

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