§ Mr. Phillip Oppenheimasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rate of increase of food prices in the United Kingdom since May 1979 and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerBetween May 1979 and December 1985, the food component of the retail price index rose at an average annual rate of 6.5 per cent. In contrast, during the period February 1974 to May 1979 when the previous Administration held office, retail food prices rose at an average rate of 16.4 per cent. per annum.