4» Economic Expansion in Soviet Union and Eastern Burgpe Slowing Dow,

~ 1529 the Economic Survey of Europe in 1962, to be published shortly, says that_thore has been a slackening in the Soviet bloc'srate of growths Wational inediie has fallen from 8 per cent in 1960 to 6 per cent in 1962 (against 8} per cent planned). In Eastern Burope in 1962, the rate of inerease ranged from 8 per cent in Albania and 7 per cent in Rumania, to almost nothing for Czechoslovakia, For Eastern Europe as a whole, national income growth in 1962 was probably in the region of 3 per cent as against 6 per cant in 1960 and 1961, Only in Albania and Rumania were there increases in real wages during the year, and in some countries thero may have actually been a decline in real wagess The falls in the rate of economic growth were duo in part —~ to the depressing effects of bad weather.on farm outputy and,in several countries, the consequent rise in food imports or reduction of food exports complicated the problem of assuring an adequate flow of materials and equipment to support the industrial expansion, In most of the countries, states the E.C.E, Survey, a definite deceleration in industrial output has become apparent in the last two years or soy tut except in Albania, Czechoslovakia and Eastern Gormany, industrial growth rates romain high - 9 per cent, and more, — and in lines with or above those foreseen in the long term plans ending in 1965. In. dealing with agriculture, the Survey says that throughout the Eastern Buropean region, 1962 was a disappointing year for agricultural planners.