In a previous study (Leser, x962) which will be
briefly referred to as E.R.I. Paper No. 4, some of the
published results of the 1951-52 household budget
enquiry (Central Statistics Office, 1954) were
analysed. In view of the limitations of the data
which were available in published form, it was at
that time considered doubtful whether a very
detailed commodity breakdown was warranted for
the purposes of constructing expenditure functions
and estimating elasticities of demand. Moreover,
the mathematical model adopted in E.R.I. Paper
No. 4 made extensive computations rather laborious.
In view of the interest in economic planning and
in econometric results helping to supply a basis for
development plans which has recently been aroused
in this country, it is now felt that the results of a
more detailed analysis to which the household
budget data may be subjected, should be placed on
record. Thus, estimates of expenditure elasticities
will be given for 87 commodities or components of
total expenditure as well as for I4 commodity
groups; an attempt is made to isolate the effects
of variations in household size and in household
composition ; and social class differences in expenditure
patterns are subjected to scrutiny
