asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that during 1973, Ireland's first year of membership of the Common Market, food prices in Denmark, Ireland and the UK, the three countries which had joined the EEC, increased by 12 per cent, 16 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, whereas in Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, three EFTA countries which did not join, they had increased by 5.9 per cent, 6.6 per cent and 6 per cent respectively; and whether he has any explanation for this difference which would indicate that Ireland's membership of the EEC has been a major contributory factor in causing food prices to rise to a higher level than they would otherwise have done.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Food Prices.
39.
I am not aware of the source of the figures quoted by the Deputy. I have however seen figures which do not correspond with those quoted by him.
The coverage and methods of calculation of the consumer price indices in different countries vary a great deal and without a considerable amount of information in relation to the method of calculation of the figures, deductions of the kind made by the Deputy would not be reliable.