§ Mr. Trotterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the current total annual spending on (a) alcohol and (b) tobacco by drinkers and smokers, respectively; and what is the average spending per head of population aged over 18 years on these items.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 18th March 1977; Vol. 928, c. 349], gave the following information:
In 1976 consumers' expenditure at current prices on alcoholic drink is estimated to have been £5,980 million and on tobacco to have been £3,106 million. Expressed as an average per head of the home population aged over 18, these figures become: alcoholic drink £148, tobacco £77.