The continuous element of the GHS includes questions about alcohol consumption on the heaviest day during the week prior to interview. These questions were introduced in 1998 following the publication, in 1995, of an inter-departmental review of drinking (see Chapter 9). Also included in 1998 was the measure which had been in use since 1984 based on average weekly consumption over the past year. During the review of the GHS it was agreed that because of the need to control the length of the interview, the data required to continue this trend series would continue to be collected every two years in the form of a trailer starting in 2000/1. However, capacity was available in the 2001/2 interview and so this trailer was retained.