HC Deb 15 January 2002 vol 378 cc247-8W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate total expenditure in the latest year for which figures are available on(a) food, (b) fuel, (c) children's clothes and shoes, (d) books, newspapers and periodicals and (e) bus, tube and train fares. [26615]

Ruth Kelly

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. John Bercow, dated 15 January 2002: The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning household expenditure for the latest year for which figures are available. I am replying in his absence. (26615) Expenditure by households is published quarterly as part of the National Accounts in 'Consumer Trends', available on the ONS website at www.statistics.gov.uk/products/p242.asp. The year 2000 is the latest complete calendar year for which figures are available. The information on children's clothing and footwear is not separately available. An approximate allocation between adults' and children's goods may be made using more detailed information on average weekly expenditure published in "Family Spending 1999–2000", Table 7.1.