§ 29. Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total sum expended since June, 1970, in extra 38W tax reliefs and extra welfare benefits, respectively; and how much of this total has been distributed to the wealthiest I per cent. and the poorest 40 per cent.. respectively, of the population.
§ Mr. HigginsIt is estimated that in 1972–73 the value of the tax cuts made since June, 1970, will be about £1,400 million. I am not clear precisely what the hon. Member has in mind by welfare benefits, but expenditure on social security benefits will have increased by about £609 million. I regret that the information needed to allocate these amounts to specified sections of the population is not available.