HC Deb 20 July 1978 vol 954 c334W
58. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he is satisfied with the trend in the retail price of the main food and drink items in the average weekly shopping basket (a) in the first half of 1978, and (b) from the second half of 1974 to the end of 1977.

Mr. Maclennan

I am pleased to note that the annual increase in food prices in the first two quarters of 1978 was at the lowest level since the middle of 1970. This is a very significant improvement on the rate of increase seen in the immediately preceding years.