§ Mr. MacCormickasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what estimate she has made of the impact which the recent increase in diesel costs has had upon the price of consumer goods in Highland and Island communities.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe combined direct and indirect effects on the Retail Price Index of the Budget increases in fuel duties is expected to be 0.2 per cent. spread over a number of months. No estimate can be made of the specific effect of the new duties in any part of the country but in its recent report on the price of food in outlying areas, the Price Commission pointed out that these prices do not fully reflect transport costs.