§ 3. Mr. Sheldonasked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the rise of United Kingdom export prices in 1969 compared with those of the United Kingdom's major industrial competitors, from information available from international sources.
§ Mr. MasonBetween the last quarter of 1968 and the third quarter of 1969, United Kingdom export prices rose by 1½ per cent. and those of our main competitors by about 4 per cent. on average.
§ Mr. SheldonDoes not this prove that the increases in prices in this country are not our prerogative but part of a worldwide movement against which we seem to be doing rather well?
§ Sir G. NabarroWill the right hon. Gentleman apply himself to the further increase in steel prices announced yesterday, which, for example, has raised the average price of motor cars by a further £8 after the average increase of £12 a few months ago, making a total increase of £20 at an average per car, all of which renders a major industry increasingly uncompetitive abroad?
§ Mr. MasonThat is not related to the Question on the Order Paper and what I quoted. United Kingdom export prices rose a further 1 per cent. between the third quarter of 1969 and the end of last November, owing mainly to world prices for metals used in manufacturing having risen.