asked the Taoiseach if he will state for each of the last three years for which statistics are available the total value of purchases by retailers and the amounts thereof applicable to (a) raw materials and equipment of agriculture, (b) raw materials and equipment of industry, (c) building materials (as distinct from house fittings), (d) foodstuffs, (e) tobacco, (f) spirits, (g) oils, (h) children's clothing and (i) remaining purchases.
Written Answers. - Purchases By Retailers.
51.
The only statistics available concerning purchases by retailers are those estimated from the annual sample inquiry relating to the distribution sector. The basic classification used in these inquiries is the principal description of business of individual establishments, and particulars of purchases by commodities or commodity groups are not collected. It is not possible therefore to give the details requested by the Deputy. The following table shows for each of the years 1958-1960, inclusive, the estimates of purchases for the various descriptions of business included in the retail distribution sector and also for certain other trading descriptions. These estimates relate to the establishments included in the tabulation of the full Distribution Census taken in respect of the year 1956 and do not take account either of establishments which were non-respondents in 1956 or of subsequent changes in the population of establishments. It has been estimated that the 1956 Census results covered slightly more than 90 per cent of sales by retailers in that year.
|
Description of Business |
Purchases |
||
|
1958 |
1959 |
1960 |
|
|
£000 |
|||
|
Food, Drink and Tobacco: |
|||
|
Grocery |
48,748 |
49,368 |
49,777 |
|
Grocery with public house |
18,664 |
18,515 |
18,857 |
|
Public house and wines and spirits |
13,197 |
13,076 |
13,573 |
|
Fresh meat |
10,831 |
10,681 |
10,632 |
|
Tobacco, sweets and newspapers |
7,947 |
8,052 |
8,408 |
|
Country general shop |
14,061 |
13,898 |
14,228 |
|
Other food, drink and tobacco |
5,047 |
5,067 |
5,497 |
|
Drapery and Clothing: |
|||
|
Boots and shoes |
3,096 |
3,029 |
3,187 |
|
Drapery and apparel |
23,796 |
24,153 |
25,908 |
|
Vehicles (including servicing): |
|||
|
Motor vehicles and cycles |
16,768 |
17,813 |
19,212 |
|
Garages and filling stations |
9,550 |
10,683 |
10,776 |
|
Other Non-Food Goods: |
|||
|
Drugs (Chemist) |
4,188 |
4,141 |
4,262 |
|
Hardware |
7,217 |
7,316 |
7,773 |
|
Non-food goods (not included above) |
26,626 |
27,836 |
29,541 |
|
Total Retail |
209,736 |
213,630 |
221,631 |
|
Other Traders: |
|||
|
Trading in— |
|||
|
Eggs and live poultry |
2,462 |
2,657 |
2,711 |
|
Wool, skins and leather |
2,286 |
2,971 |
2,323 |
|
Builders' materials |
10,178 |
11,387 |
14,237 |
|
Grain and forage, feeding stuffs and fertilisers |
25,116* |
33,036 |
29,342 |
* The 1958 figure is not comparable with those of later years because of the fact that Grain Importers Ltd., ceased to operate after 1958.