HC Deb 16 December 1949 vol 470 cc363-4W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state in percentages by what amount the cost of imports of manufactured goods, food, drink and tobacco, and raw materials, have risen since 18th September, 1949, to the latest available date.

Mr. J. Edwards

The monthly index numbers of import prices for September and November can be used to give a very approximate measure of the increase which has taken place in import costs since the revaluation of sterling. These index numbers show increases in sterling terms of 17 per cent. for manufactured goods, 9 per cent. for food, drink and tobacco and 7 per cent. for raw materials.