§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the average expenditure by a family with one earner and two children on(a) average earnings, (b) 50 per cent. of the average earnings and (c) 150 per cent. of the average earnings on (i) food, (ii) domestic fuel, (iii) newspapers and books, (iv) fares, (v) children's clothing and footwear and (vi) all items which are currently zero rated for VAT, giving the most recent available data.
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 25 February 1993]: The estimates given in the table are derived from the 1991 family expenditure survey. The estimates are based upon a sample of 50 households grouped around each level of earnings. Because of the small sample size the figures are subject to considerable sampling variations. The figures are rounded to the nearest 10p.
Average expenditure of households with one earner and two children from the 1991 family expenditure survey £ per week (a) Average earnings £ (b)50 per cent of average earnings £ (c)150 per cent of average earnings £ i Food 55.80 41.50 64.20 ii Domestic Fuel 11.70 13.40 13.20 iii Newspapers and books 1.60 1.40 6.40 iv Fares 1.00 3.00 2.20 v Children's clothing and footwear 6.80 6.20 8.40 vi All items1 zero-rated 79.70 66.90 97.30 1 Item (vi) includes items (i-v), NHS prescription charges and payments for NHS medical appliances and Water and Sewerage. Expenditure on 'Construction of new dwellings' which is also zero-rated, is not included as no figures are available.