§ 38. Mr. HanleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the rates of increase in food prices(a) in the 1970s and (b) in the 1980s; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderThe information is as follows:
(a) Rate of increase in Rate of increase in food prices in the 1970s Rate of increase in food in the prices in the 1980s Year per cent. per annum
Year per cent. per annum
1970 7.0 1980 12.1 1971 11.1 1981 8.4 1972 8.8 1982 7.9 1973 15.0 1983 3.2 1974 18.0 1984 5.6 1975 25.6 1985 31 1976 20.0 1986 3.3 1977 19 .0 1987 3.1 1978 7.1 1988 3.5 1979 12.0 — — SourceRetail Price Index
Between May 1979 and December 1988, the average annual rate of increase in food prices was 5.6 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 165.7 per cent. per annum between October 1974 and May 1979, the period in office of the last Labour Administration.