§ Mr. Eggarasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the cumulative increases in food prices in each member country of the European Community, the United States of America, Canada and Japan from (a) March 1974 to April 1979 and (b) May 1979 to the latest available common date.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe information requested is as follows:
Percentage increases in retail food prices March 1974 to April 1979 May 1979 to September 1982 Germany* 21 16 France† 68 46 Italy† 136 63 Netherlands† 31 17 Belgium†, ‡ 40 25 Luxembourg‡ 38 28 United Kingdom‡ 117 32 Ireland║ 122 47 Denmark¶ 67 42 Greece 102 100 United States 46 23 Canada 70 34 Japan* 47 16 Sources: Department of Employment. OECD Main economic indicators. Notes: Unless otherwise stated, meals out are included and drinks and tobacco excluded. * Including drinks and tobacco. † Including drinks. ‡ Excluding meals out. ║ Data are collected every 3 months; the increases shown are for the periods February 1974 to May 1979 and May 1979 to August 1982. ¶ Coffee, tea and cocoa are included from January 1979 onwards.