§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why, in view of the fall in wages, cost of living index figures and the inflationary spiral, he is granting permission for Cadbury Schweppes to increase its food prices by 7 per cent.; as this will affect drinking chocolate, table jellies, desserts and their freeze dried potato range, to what extent it will affect the cost of living; and whether he will take some action to prevent these increases.
§ Mr. MaclennanThis is a matter for the Price Commission, which has already announced that it intends to investigate the increases proposed by Cadbury Schweppes Ltd. under Section 4 of the 11W Price Commission Act 1977. It is not possible to estimate the effect the increase would have on the retail price index.