Food Prices

HC Deb 05 December 1977 vol 940 cc505-6W

27. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the year-on-year increase in the food price index.

Mr. Maclennan

In the 12 months to October 1977 the retail food index increased by 13.6 per cent.

Mr. Tierney

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why reduced farm gate prices for crops after the 1977 harvest are not being passed on to the consumers by retailers.

Mr. Walter Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the benefits of the current year's excellent agricultural crops and the consequently reduced ex-farm prices are not being passed on by the retailers.

Mr. Robert Maclennan

I have been asked to reply to the latter Question also.

The improved crops this summer have been most marked for vegetables. In October 1977 the average retail prices of fresh, dried and frozen vegetables were 25 per cent. below the level of October 1976. It therefore appears that the benefits of the better crops this year are being passed on to consumers.