HC Deb 01 February 1982 vol 17 c70W
Mr. Canavan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the price of food since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

'The food items component of the retail price index increasd by 254 per cent. between 1972 and December 1981, but the reasons for this had little to do with Britain's membership of the Community. Increased wages and energy costs have been two of the main factors.