§ 13. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average price of coal being exported to the Argentine; and the corresponding figure for the same quality for 1938.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)The average f.o.b. value of coal exported to the Argentine in the first eight months of 1950 was 82s. 8d. per ton. Taking those grades of coal which were exported in both 1938 and 1950 and for which average f.o.b. values are available, the average in 1938 was 20s. 11d.
§ Mr. OsborneDoes that answer mean that the price of our coal to the Argentine has gone up by about four times since before the war, and is that greater than the increase which they are asking us to pay for their meat?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe prices of agricultural products which we have had have certainly risen largely. I should not like to say what is the exact proportion.