HC Deb 05 July 1973 vol 859 c711
13. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total number of United Kingdom taxpayers with an income of £5,000 per year and above.

Mr. Nott

The estimated number for 1973–74 is about 625,000, counting married couples as one unit.

Mr. Atkinson

Does not that answer vividly demonstrate the British unfair society, in that the number of people earning more than £5,000 a year must now be well above 1 million, if the number is calculated by the number of luxury motor cars, luxury houses, yachts, expensive meals and all the other trimmings of expense accounts and other arrangements? Do not these matters clearly demonstrate that there is now massive tax evasion? What are the Government prepared to do about it?

Mr. Nott

The hon. Gentleman is entirely wrong. If houses, yachts and other items are given out by firms to their employees they are taxable as emoluments of the employee. They are taxable just as much as cash received. The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Can the printers who print HANSARD and the Votes be added to that number?

Mr. Nott

It is a long-standing practice of the House that it does not discuss the tax affairs of individuals.