Fruit and Vegetable Prices

Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 June 1978.

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Photo of Mr Kenneth Lewis Mr Kenneth Lewis , Rutland and Stamford 12:00, 22 June 1978

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the prices to the consumer of fruit and vegetables; and what plans he has for avoiding large increases in price after these products leave the farm gate.

Photo of Gavin Strang Gavin Strang , Edinburgh East

Prices of fresh fruit and vegetables are determined largely by supply and demand, but the Price Commission monitors both prices and margins in this sector. Its most recent report shows that retail prices of the main fruit and vegetables were down 22 per cent. in April compared with a year earlier; the average retail price of all food rose by 6·3 per cent. over the same period. The Government have no plans to introduce controls in this sector.

Photo of Mr Kenneth Lewis Mr Kenneth Lewis , Rutland and Stamford

Is the Minister aware that his reply will be regarded as complete nonsense by the average housewife, who knows that the price of food and vegetables in past weeks has been escalating? Is the Minister further aware that it is known that these price increases are not going to the producer but are benefiting those somewhere in the middle?

Photo of Gavin Strang Gavin Strang , Edinburgh East

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not hear every detail in my reply. The figures that I quoted were to April. The hon. Member is right to say that there have been significant increases in the prices of some vegetables of late, but I believe that these are largely seasonal, due to the late spring.