§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the rise in food prices since May 1979 is attributable to rises in United Kingdom farm prices and to rises in marketing and distribution costs, respectively.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerBetween May 1979 and December 1982 the food price component of the index of retail prices, rose by 34 per cent. Of this 34 per cent. it would seem that something like 9 per cent. may be attributed to the rise in the cost of basic food raw materials, of which the major part would relate to home-produced supplies. The remaining 25 per cent. would therefore relate to the rise in the costs of processing and distribution.