HC Deb 03 March 1988 vol 128 cc675-6W
60. Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average annual rate of increase in food prices since 1979.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The average annual rate of increase in the food component of the retail prices index was 5.8 per cent. during the period May 1979 to January 1988 and recent figures indicate that the rate has now fallen to 2.9 per cent. These figures reflect the success of the Government's food policies and can be compared with the rate of increase in food prices of 16.7 per cent. per annum between October 1974 and May 1979, the period in office of the last Labour Administration.

98. Mr. Marland

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the increase in food prices in 1977 and 1987.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The average annual increase in food prices in 1977, when the last Labour Administration was in office, was 19 per cent. By contrast, the increase in 1987 was 3.1 per cent. This indicates the success of the Government's food policies.

99. Sir Dudley Smith

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual rate of increase in food prices in each year since 1979.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The annual rate of increase in food prices since 1979 is given in the table.

Increase in food component of the retail prices index
per cent.
1979 12.0
1980 12.1
1981 8.4

per cent.
1982 7.9
1983 3.2
1984 5.6
1985 3.1
1986 3.3
1987 3.1
11988 2.9
1 January.

Source: Department of Employment.