§ Mr. A. Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the value of total commodity stocks held by trading concerns at the end of 1950.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe total value, at cost, of stocks of commodities in the United Kingdom at the end of 1950 is very roughly estimated at £5,200 million. This 5W estimate covers stocks in the hands of producers, traders and Government trading Departments; it includes stocks of food, tobacco, fuel, raw materials, work in progress and finished goods in course of distribution. This estimate is given with considerable reserve; very little information is available in particular, about the value of stocks in course of distribution, although more will be known as a result of the Census of Distribution.