§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer 319W Protection what is the average weekly saving for a low-income family provided by the current level of food subsidies.
§ Mr. MaclennanOn the basis of the National Food Survey the current estimated average benefit of food subsidies to households in which the head has a gross income of less than £28 per week, excluding pensioner households, is:
Average household size Pence per week Households with earners 2.64 47 Households without earners 1.71 35 These benefits represent a saving of about 4½p in the £ on household food purchases.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the likely impact of the phasing out of food subsidies on the weekly budgets of (a) low income families and (b) pensioners in 1976 and in 1977.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe effect of the phasing out of food subsidy expenditure will depend upon the extent and timing or reductions in the subsidy rates for the various foods, decisions on which have yet to be taken.