HC Deb 11 December 1974 vol 883 cc185-6W
Mr. Snape

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take action, following the Price Commission's report that the packaging of fresh food in supermarkets can add up to 25 per cent. to the cost of foodstuffs forming part of the average family diet, designed to reduce costs of this sort; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Maclennan

I am concerned that consumers should not pay unnecessarily for packaging and I am keeping the matter under review.

Mr. Snape

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will propose action in the Council of Ministers designed to help consumers following the statement by the Common Market Farm Commissioner that paper alone can add between 20 per cent. and 25 per cent. to the cost of packaged food; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Maclennan

I have no plans at present to raise this issue in the Council of Ministers but I am keeping the cost of packaged food under constant review.

Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protec- tion what studies she has undertaken into the contribution made to inflation by superfluous packaging.

Mr. Maclennan

I am concerned that consumers should not pay unnecessarily for packaging and I am considering how best I can ensure this. The Government have of course drawn attention to the wider aspects of the packaging and waste problem in their Green Paper "War on Waste" and these will be looked at by the Waste Management Advisory Council.