HC Deb 22 October 1979 vol 972 c47W
37. Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what use he has made of his price control powers contained in the Prices Acts.

Mr. Sally Oppenheim

Under section 2 of the Prices Act 1974 I have relaxed the ban on the repricing of food and drink to enable retailers to increase prices by the amount of any additional tax payable following the increase in the rate of VAT for that purpose only. In addition, maximum price orders under the 1974 Act are currently in force for butter and concentrated butter because of the EEC subsidies on these foods.