§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the statement made by the Lord President of the Council that of the national income last year £8,000,000,000 were spent on personal consumption, of which not far short of one quarter went on alcoholic drinks, tobacco, cinemas and other private amusements, what were the comparable figures in 1938.]
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, of the total expenditure on personal consumption in 1938, 12.2 per cent. was spent on alcoholic drinks, tobacco and entertainments, as compared with 21.4 per cent. in 1948. The detailed figures will be found on pages 26 and 27 of the National Income White Paper presented to Parliament last April (Cmd. 7649).