HL Deb 30 January 1978 vol 388 cc647-8WA
Lord O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What effect the final transitional step to full membership of the EEC has had on the Retail Price Index.

Lord STRABOLGI

As was said in another place by my right honourable friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 11th November last in reply to a question, the effect of the final transitional step on United Kingdom retail food prices could not be accurately predicted because it depended on a number of factors including the extent to which market prices were influenced by institutional prices and the costs of processing and distribution. Assuming, however, that the remaining transitional price increases were eventually fully reflected at retail level, they might lead to an increase of up to a ¼per cent. on the Retail Price Index. No further information on this matter has become available since my right honourable friend gave this answer.