asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the increase in food prices in the last nine months; and what was the comparable figure for the previous year.

In the nine months ending mid-December 1979—thelatest date for which figures are available—the food price index increased by 8·9 per cent; in the same period in 1978 the increase was 6·1 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade by how much food prices have risen in the 12 months ended 31 January.

I am unable to give the information in the form requested as the food price index for January is not yet available.During the 12 months up to mid-December 1979 the food price index rose by 14 per cent.