§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase in the food price index since 1973; and if he will provide separate calculations for those foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, margarine and so on which are not covered by the common agricultural policy and for those foodstuffs such as butter, bread, meat and milk which are covered by the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe percentage increase in the food component of the retail prices index, published by the Department of Employment, between calendar year 1973 and October 1982 is 230 per cent. The corresponding percentage increases for the specified items are:
Per cent. Coffee, cocoa and food drinks 254 Tea 220 Margarine 151 Butter 324 Bread 262 Meat and bacon 186 Fresh milk 260 I must point out that the majority of the increase in prices of those products in the common agricultural policy 648W has not been due to the common agricultural policy but to higher wages, higher fuel costs and other inflationary pressures.