§ 54. Mr. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the national stocks of raw materials and foodstuffs have fallen in the last six months[...] how this amount compares with our improved trading balance with the dollar area; and to what extent these stocks can now be replaced at the same prices as were ruling six months ago.
§ Mr. GaitskellStocks of raw materials, excluding petroleum, fell in value by approximately £30 million during the six months ended 30th June, 1950. It is not the practice to publish stock figures for food and petroleum. Full details of the change in our trading balance with the dollar area are set out in Cmd. 8065. The prices of many of the commodities concerned have risen substantially during the past six months.