§ Mr. Beaneyasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what were the main price increases attributable to the import surcharge.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs my hon. Friend, the Minister of State. explained on 1st December in reply to the hon. Member for Woolwich. West (Mr. Ham-ling) [Vol. 737, c. 594], we have no record of increases in prices of individual traders due to the surcharge. We know, however, that in many cases the surcharge was not passed on or not passed on in full.
The following were the main items on which the surcharge was levied:
- Chemicals, plastic materials, synthetic fibre and synthetic rubber;
- Horticultural, fungicide and fertilisers;
- Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and drugs;
- Timber and hardboard;
- Furniture;
- Paper, packaging materials;
- Fibre yarns, and textiles;
- Clothing and footwear;
- Floor covering:
- Certain metals;
- Machinery and machine tools;
- Domestic hardware and ironmongery;
- Electrical equipment;
- Radio, television and tape recorders;
- Electric light fittings, heating appliances and other domestic electric appliances;
- Motor vehicles and parts;
- Scientific instruments, photographic equipment and binoculars;
176 - Musical instruments;
- Jewellery;
- Clocks and watches, toys and sports goods, fancy and travel goods, china, glass and pottery, etc.;
- Alcoholic beverages.