§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will compare the overall percentage increase in national spending on food since 1970 with spending on alcohol, gambling, electrical goods, cars and motor cycles during the corresponding period.
§ Mr. StrangStatistics on consumer expenditure are given in Table 24 of HMSO publication "National Income and Expenditure 1963–73". They show 329W that between 1970 and 1973 the increase in expenditure by consumers was as follows:
Per cent. Food, including catering 33 Alcoholic drink 53 Betting and gaming 43 Radio, electrical and other durable goods 66 Motor cars and motor cycles (new and secondhand) 95