§ 32. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish a schedule showing recent variations in the cost of the main classes of materials required by the Army?
§ Sir V. WarrenderAs the answer includes a table of figures, I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The percentage variations, since October, 1936, in the cost of the main classes of materials used by the War Office are as follows, but it must not be assumed that current market prices at any particular time have any necessary relation to the prices paid.
| Per cent. Increase. | ||
| Zinc | … | 50 |
| Copper | … | 38 |
| Lead | … | 22 |
| Mild Steel | … | 20 to 30 |
| Textiles and leather goods | … | 5 to 25 |
| Timber | … | 10 to 30 |
| Coal | … | 6 to 20* |
| Coke | … | 7 to 27* |
| Building materials | … | 5 to 20 |
| * Since July, 1936. |