§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will publish figures showing the effect on food prices of the Common Market Harmonisation Agreements.
§ Mr. MaclennanThere is no evidence that the adoption by the Council of directives harmonising the law of member States relating to food standards has any significant effect on food prices. In so far as such directives enable the products in question to be produced in quantity and traded freely throughout the Community they are likely to increase competition and consumer choice and may be expected to exert a downward pressure on retail food prices.