§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will list the commodities or classifications of goods and services which are price controlled by Her Majesty' Government and the dates when such controls expire.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI have responsibility for price controls in three main areas. First, there is the Price Code (SI 2113 of 1974, as amended) which applies to the prices of all goods and services supplied to the United Kingdom home market unless they are specifically146W exempted. Paragraphs 5 to 11 of the code define those goods and services whose prices are exempted: major exemptions are the prices of exports, prices paid on the first sale into the United Kingdom of imports and the prices paid to producers at home or overseas for fresh foods. The power contained in the Counter-Inflation Act 1973 for the Price Commission to restrict prices which are not in accordance with the Price Code expires on 31st March 1976.
Secondly, the prices of certain subsidised foods—bread, butter, cheese and tea—are regulated by orders made under the Prices Acts 1974 and 1975: these orders are of unlimited duration. The price of milk has of course been controlled for many years by agricultural departments.
Thirdly, following adverse reports by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, the prices of a number of goods have been controlled either by undertakings negotiated with the relevant parties or by order. Such controls may be for particular or unspecified periods of time and are subject to variation or repeal.
Other Ministers have powers to control charges for specific services and products, notably in the transport field. It has not been possible to check the expiry dates of these powers in the time available.