§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average proportion of an old-age pensioner's weekly budget used on food; and what that figure represents in monetary terms on a weekly basis.
§ Mr. Harold Walker:I have been asked to reply.
The following estimates obtained from the Family Expenditure Survey in the 12 months ended June, 1969, relate to households in which at least three quarters of the total household income is derived from national insurance retirement and similar pensions, including benefits paid in supplementation or instead of such pensions. The two-person households thus include at least one person over the national insurance retirement age.
Average weekly expenditure on food "Pensioner" One-person households Two-person Amount £2 4s. 7d. £4 ls. 8d. As percentage of total expenditure 31 per cent. 36 per cent. About two thirds of all national insurance retirement pensioners live in households not covered by these estimates.