HC Deb 15 November 1978 vol 958 cc257-8W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has of the import of vicuna; how many prosecutions have taken place over infringement of the ban on such imports: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

There have been no prosecutions, but I am not aware of

Percentage change over preceding year Average of monthly counts
Gross domestic product at constant m factor cost (average estimate) Per Capita Implied index of total home costs* General index of retail prices (all items) United Kingdom Unemployment rate (per cent.)†
1949 +3.1 +2.7 +2.8 1.6
1950 +2.7 +0.9 +3.2 1.6
1951 +2.8 +7.3 +9.1 1.2
1952 -0.6 +9.2 +9.1 1.7
1953 +3.3 +2.9 +3.0 1.7
1954 +3.6 +2.1 +2.0 1.4
1955 +3.4 +3.1 +4.4 1.1
1956 +0.9 +6.4 +4.9 l.2
1957 +1.2 +4.1 +3.7 1.5
1958 -0.7 +4.6 +3.1 2.0
1959 +3.7 +1.5 +0.4 2.1
1960 +4.6 +1.7 +1.1 1.7
1961 +1.8 +3.4 +3.4 1.5
1962 +0.4 +3.3 +4.3 2.0
1963 +3.1 +2.4 +1.9 2.4
1964 +4.8 +3.1 +3.3 1.7
1965 +2.4 +4.0 +4.8 1.5
1966 +1.3 +3.9 +3.9 1.5
1967 +1.6 +2.8 +2.5 2.3
1968 +3.7 +3.2 +4.7 2.5
1969 +2.1 +3.7 +5.4 2.5
1970 +1.6 +7.6 +6.4 2.6
1971 +1.2 +10.8 +9.4 3.4
1972 +2.1 +10.1 +7.1 3.8
1973 +6.7 +7.6 +9.2 2.7
1974 -2.0 +17.1 +16.1 2.6
1975 -1.4 +27.9 +24.2 4.2
1976 +3.0 +14.1 +16.5 5.8
1977 +1.9 +11.2 +15.8 6.2
* Derived from the current and constant price expenditure-based estimate of gdp.
†Excluding the temporarily stopped and adult students; including school-leavers.

Two measures of inflation are given in the table. The implied index of total home costs is the broadest based measure of any evidence that vicuna, or its parts and derivatives, have been imported contrary to the restrictions imposed for conservation reasons. Where inquiries have been made following allegations that vicuna products were on sale, it has been found that importation occurred before the restrictions were imposed.