§ 22. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will initiate an inquiry to establish the extent to which household purchases of food have changed in consequence of rising prices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopInformation on the pattern of consumption and level of expenditure on food in the home is provided by the National Food Survey, which is published quarterly. There has been no marked change in the total value of purchases in real terms over the last 18 months.
The figures are:
Quarter Expenditure per person in real terms as percentage expenditure in corresponding quarter of previous year Per cent. Fourth quarter 1974 99 First quarter 1975 103 Second quarter 1975 99 Third quarter 1975 99 Fourth quarter 1975 102 First quarter 1976 99