§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many investigations into prices of goods or services he has referred to the Price Commission from 1st January 1976 to date; and in which of the subsequent reports there has been evidence of profiteering.
§ Mr. MaclennanSince 1st January 1976 12 references on prices have been made to the Price Commission. In the seven inquiries which have been completed so far, the Price Commission has commented in four of its reports on prices or profits which appear to he high, but it has not spoken of profiteering.
19th February 1974 14th June 1977 p p Potatoes: Old, white, loose, per pound … … … … 2.4 8.5 Old, red, loose, per pound … … … … 2.9 9.0 New, per pound … … … … — 15.4 Milk, per pint … … … … 5.5 11.5 Butter, New Zealand, per pound … … … … 21.8 47.6 Bacon, streaky, smoked, per pound … … … … 45.0 70.8 Coffee, instant, 4 ounces … … … … 33.1 107.7 Eggs, Standard, per dozen … … … … 38.0 41.6 Sugar, per kilogram … … … … 11.4* 25.5 Tea, medium priced, per ¼ pound … … … … 8.4 28.4 Bread, wrapped and sliced loaf, 1¾ pounds … … … … 14.2 21.2 * Converted from "per 2 pound". Comparable Information is not readily available for minced beef, frozen peas, one pint of beer,20 Benson and Hedges cigarettes, one gallon of four-star petrol and a Standard packet of detergent.