§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage the prices to the British consumer have risen in the last four months to date of (a) products covered by the common agricultural policy and (b) those not covered by the common agricultural policy, including fruit, vegetables, potatoes, tea and coffee; and, for the same period, by what percentage the food price index as a whole has risen.
§ Mr. BishopThe index of retail food prices rose by about one-half of 1 per cent. in the four months to mid-November 1977, the latest date for which the information is available. I regret that changes in the prices of products which are and are not subject to CAP arrangements cannot be separately calculated, since many foods sold retail contain a combination of ingredients. The 725W CAP arrangements do cover some fruits and vegetables.