§ Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average annual increase in the price of (a) sugar, (b) milk, (c) bread and (d) beef to the consumer since 1973; and what have been the comparable increases in the guaranteed price for producers of (i) sugar, (ii) milk, (iii) wheat and beef.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIt is not possible to supply the information in the form requested because United Kingdom guaranteed prices were phased out following accession to the Community. Since 1973 the retail food price index has increased by approximately 205 per cent., whereas the all products index of agricultural producer prices has increased by approximately 140 per cent. The average annual increase in consumer prices and in agricultural producer prices for the products listed are as follows:
Average annual increase since 1973 United Kingdom consumer prices* per cent. United Kingdom agricultural producer prices† per cent. Sugar 17.6 15.7‡ Milk 16.2** 13.4** Bread 16.9 8.3†† Beef 14.1 11.9‡‡ Notes:
* Based on data from the general index of retail prices in September 1973 and September 1981.
† Based on indices of producer prices of agricultural products in September 1973 and September 1981 (in some cases provisional).
‡Based upon United Kingdom growers' price for sugarbeet (16 per cent. standard sugar content) for crop years 1973–74 and 1980–81.
** Consumer price increase based upon the price of liquid milk which is controlled by Government. The agricultural producer price increase is based upon average prices paid to wholesale producers by the Milk Marketing Boards from their returns from both the liquid and manufacturing milk markets.
††Based upon the price of wheat for milling.
‡‡Based upon returns for clean cattle.