§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Materials the general percentage increase or decrease in the value of the articles and commodities purchased by his Department during the year 1952 in comparison with the years 1950 and 1951.
§ Sir A. SalterTaking 1952 as 100, the corresponding figure for 1951 would be about 115, and for 1950 about 80. But these figures should not be treated as an authoritative index of price movements because the quantities, types and qualities of the materials purchased by the Ministry varied over the three years covered.