-2- 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. The main definable cause of increase in the costs of productio### has been the gradual falling off in output, to which I have referred in my report to the Committee L.P. (43) 139. For the reason that some of the costs of production are not affected at all, or show little reduction, when there is a limited fall in output, the average total cost has increased by about 1/3d. a ton as compared with the cost before the Committee when the price increase of the 1st January, 1943, was approved.