asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the current annual cost of food subsidies to the consumer; how the total cost is distributed between the various foods subsidised; and what provision she has made to maintain the prices of the foods in question at their present levels in the face of further increases in the costs of production, distribution and storage.

The estimated cost of food subsidies in the current financial year is as follows:

	£ million)
Bread	63·4
Butter	55·2
Cheese	39·0
Household Flour	4·5
Milk	323·1
Tea	16·7
Total	501·9

The level of subsidy on particular foods will be kept under review in the light of the developing market situation and any price notifications submitted to the Price Commission.