HC Deb 31 May 1949 vol 465 c147W
85. Mr. Sparks

asked the President of the Board of Trade by how much the price levels of imports and exports have varied at the nearest convenient date by comparison with the years 1946, 1947, 1948.

Mr. J. Edwards

The yearly average index of import prices rose between 1946 and 1947 by 19 per cent., and between 1947 and 1948 by 14 per cent.; by April, 1949, the index had risen to 18 per cent. above the 1947 average. The corresponding annual average of export prices rose between 1946 and 1947 by 15 per cent. and between 1947 and 1948 by 10 per cent.; by April, 1949, this index had risen to 12 per cent. above 1947.