§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give his assessment of the breakdown in the cost of a given quantity of tea from the plantation to the consumer in the United Kingdom, giving the extent of the added value at key points in the distribution network.
§ Mr. BishopI have been asked to reply.
I regret that information is not available in sufficient detail on the value added to tea at all points from the plantation to the consumer. Tea comes from many places in a wide range of prices and qualities, and is subject to a considerable variety of taxes and other imposts. The 1971 Report of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the World Tea Economy suggests that the following costs, as a percentage of the London auction price, are as follows: 672W
Per cent. Producers' margin 26–39 Transport 9–15 Auction charges 5 These figures do not take account of any of the duties and taxes levied.