§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will compare personal spending in percentage terms on food with spending on rent or mortgage, rates, alcohol, gambling, electrical goods and cars, in the latest year for which the figures are available, and in 1960 and 1970.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesThe following table shows consumers' expenditure at current prices on each item as a percentage of total consumers' expenditure.
1960 1970 1976 Food* 24.9 20.1 19.4 Rent† 5.6 7.8 8.8 Rates and water charges 2.5 2.9 3.0 Alcoholic drink 5.7 7.3 8.2 Betting and gambling‡ 0.8 1.0 0.9 Radio, electrical and other durable goods 2.5 2.3 2.4 Purchase of motor vehicles 3.4 3.2 3.5 * Household expenditure, excluding expenditure on catering. † Gross rent—i.e., before deduction of rebates or allowances—including for owner occupiers, an imputed rent, based on the rateable value of the dwelling; consumers' expenditure excludes mortgage payments. ‡ Stakes less winnings.