§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the estimated total cost of all food subsidies in the current financial year; how much of that total will go to families with an income of less than £40 a week; and how much of those with an income of more than £50 a week.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe estimated cost of food subsidies in the current financial year is £500 million. On the basis of patterns of consumption recorded in the 1973 Family Expenditure Survey—the latest available—it is estimated that about 33 per cent. of this expenditure will be received by households with an income of less than £40 per week, which contains about 32 per cent. of the population. About 52 per cent. of the expenditure will be received by households with an income above £50 per week, containing about 52 per cent. of the population.