§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of price increases that have taken place since the introduction of the Government's wages and price freeze. as known in his Department and where his permission has been sought and granted for such increases, and the amounts in each case.
§ Sir G. HoweThe list which follows sets out the substance of agreements which I have reached up to 16th February with trade associations in five sectors of manufacturing industry authorising certain limited price increases which have been made necessary because of increases in the cost of imported raw materials. In all such cases I have insisted that the industries concerned should absorb a significant proportion of such increased cost and have required them to absorb all other cost increases. The list also gives details of arrangements for limited price increases reached with three service industries. I have also given consent to certain price increases by 56 firms, 39 of them firms with an annual turnover of less than£10,000 a year.
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Trade Association Minimum degree of absorption of price increases since 6th November 1972 (unless otherwise stated) Wool Textile Industry Associations Topmakers, spinners of worsted yarn and handknit yarns, 5 per cent, of raw wool increased cost up to 26th January 1973. Weavers, 10 per cent, of raw wool increased cost up to 16th February 1973. Knitting Industries Federation 10 per cent, of increased raw materials cost between last established price and 6th November 1972. Scottish Knitwear Council British Textile Employers Association Spinners, 40–100 per cent, of increased raw cotton cost, where cotton has increased by 10 per cent. Doublers, 40 per cent, of any increased raw cotton cost passed on to them. Weavers, 50 per cent, of increased yarn prices resulting from increased raw cotton cost. Central Council of the Linen Industry 50 per cent, of increased flax tow and line costs, since last established price. Flax Spinners and Manufacturers Association of Great Britain. Belfast Ropes 58 per cent, of increased sisal cost for sisal packing twines and ropes and 52 per cent, for sisal agricultural twine between last established price and 7th February 1973. British Ropes Hawkins & Tipson Paper and Timber British Paper and Board Makers Federation 30–70 per cent, depending on imported fibre content, of increased raw material cost between 1st January 1972 and 15th January 1973. Reed Paper & Board (UK) Ltd Between 59 per cent, and 72 per cent, of increased raw material cost since 1st January 1972. Price increase effective from 1st March 1973. The Bowater Corporation Ltd C. Townsend Hook & Co. Ltd Peter Dixon & Son (Holdings) Ltd. British Federation of Master Printers Between 25 per cent and 50 per cent, of increased paper cost. British Gummed Products Manufacturers Association. 50 per cent, of increased cost of gummed paper and tapes between 1st November 1972 and 29th January 1973. British Carton Association 50 per cent, of increased raw material cost between 23rd June 1972 and 29th January 1973. British Paper Bag Federation 30 per cent, of increased raw material cost for kraft between 1st November 1972, and for greaseproof between 1st January 1973, and 29th January 1973. Flexible Packaging Association 30 per cent, of increased raw material cost, for waterproof paper only, between August 1972 and 22nd January 1973. Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation 30 per cent, of increased raw material cost between 1st August 1972 and 22nd January 1973. Truck and Ladder Manufacturers Association. 50 per cent, of increased timber cost between 1st Februarv 1972 and 14th February 1973. Chair Frame Manufacturers Association 50 per cent, of increased timber cost up to 20th February 1973. Paper Sack Development Association Ltd. 30 per cent, of increased raw material cost between 1st September 1972 for fixed price contracts, 1st January 1973 for general sales, and 1st February 1973. British Furniture Manufacturers' Federated Associations. Average of 70 per cent, in increased raw material cost between 1st September and 31st December 1972 (for cabinet furniture only). British Brush Manufacturers Association 25 per cent, of increased natural raw materials cost between last established price and 6th November 1972. Leather and Footwear British Leather Federation 20 per cent, of increased cost of hides and skins up to 26th January 1973. British Leathergoods Manufacturers Association. 20 per cent, of increased leather cost between last established price and 6th November 1972. British Footwear Federation National Association of Glove Manufacturers. Dress gloves 20 per cent, and Industrial gloves 22½ per cent, of increased leather costs between last established price and 6th November 1972. Services Laundries Price increases from 1st January 1973 to recover Wages Council Award of mid-November, limited to 3 per cent, on total receipts. Incorporated Guild of Hairdressers, Wig-makers and Perfumers. Price increases to recover not more than 50 per cent, of the wage costs directly resulting from the Wages Council award which took effect from 1st January 1973. National Hairdressers Federation
Trade Association Minimum degree of absorption of price increases since 6th November 1972 (unless otherwise stated) Association of British Travel Agents … Imposition of a surcharge on package holidays abroad or increase in an existing surcharge to cover changes in costs since 6th November 1972 directly resulting from exchange rate fluctuations or cost increases overseas beyond the operator's control.