§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the current annual cost of food subsidies to the consumer; how the total cost is distributed between the various foods subsidised; and what provision she has made to maintain the prices of the foods in question at their present levels in the face of further increases in the costs of production, distribution and storage.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe estimated cost of food subsidies in the current financial year is as follows:
£ million) Bread 63.4 Butter 55.2 Cheese 39.0 Household Flour 4.5 Milk 323.1 Tea 16.7 Total 501.9 The level of subsidy on particular foods will be kept under review in the light of the developing market situation and any price notifications submitted to the Price Commission.