HC Deb 08 April 1974 vol 872 cc26-7W
Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of total average weekly expenditure is accounted for by butter and margarine, shown separately, among pensioner households, households with three or more children, and households with a weekly income of under £20, £20 to £50. and over £50, respectively:

(2) what proportion of total average weekly expenditure is accounted for by cakes and biscuits among pensioner households, households with three or more children, and households with a weekly income of under £20, £20 to £50, and over £50, respectively;

(3) what proportion of total average weekly expenditure is accounted for by cigarettes among pensioner households, households with three or more children, and households with a weekly income of under £20, £20 to £50, and over £50, respectively;

(4) what proportion of total average weekly expenditure is accounted for by sweets and confectionery among pensioner households, households with three or more children, and households with a weekly income of under £20, £20 to £50, and over £50, respectively;

(5) what proportion of total average weekly expenditure is accounted for by milk among pensioner households, households with three or more children, and households with a weekly income of under £20, £20 to £50, and over £50, respectively;

(6) what proportion of total average weekly expenditure is accounted for by convenience foods, as defined by the

PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE IN 1972
Households with weekly income
Pensioner Households* Households with 3 or more children† £20 and Under £20 under £50 £50 or more
Butter … 1.2 0.6 1.0 0.7 0.5
Margarine … 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2
Cakes and Biscuits … 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.5 1.1
Cigarettes … 3.2 3.4 3.8 4.2 3.1
Sweets and Chocolates … 0.7 1.0 0.8 0.9 0.8
Milk, fresh … 3.1 2.6 2.8 2.2 1.6
Bread … 2.2 1.6 2.1 1.5 1.0
Electricity … 4.2 2.7 4.2 2.9 2.0
Coal … 3.8 0.7 2.8 1.2 0.6
* Households where at least three-quarters of total income was derived from retirement or similar pensions, including benefits paid in supplement to, and instead of, such pensions.
† Households comprising 1 man, 1 woman and 3 children and 2 adults and 4 or more children.