§ Mr. C. S. Taylorasked the Minister of Materials whether he can now say how far it is expected that the estimated loss of £10,721,930, on the decrease in value of stocks is likely to be increased or decreased during the current financial year.
§ Sir A. SalterNo. I am not yet in a position to quote a definite figure but present indications are that the decrease in the value of the Ministry's stocks will be somewhat greater than was estimated (Civil Estimates, 1952–53, Class IX, Vote 6, p. 62) This particular figure, however, is not in itself an estimate of a loss but simply an estimate of a change in the value of stocks taking into account changes forecast in the volume and composition of stocks held as well as probable price movements.