§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the public expenditure on defence common services, other public services and overseas services, respectively, in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and elsewhere, respectively, during each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettSo far as figures are available, I gave them to the hon. Gentleman on 10th December—[Vol. 902, c.252–4]. I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 12th December—[Vol. 902, c. 405–6].
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of each major category of public expenditure is unidentified.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe attribution of public expenditure between that "identifiable" to particular countries and the "unidentified" remainder in 1974–75 was as follows:
States of America, France, the Federal Republic of Germany and Great Britain during the current year; and what is the marginal rate of deduction for these workers.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe following information, which is taken from Revenue Statistics of OECD Member Countries 827W 1965–72, Annex I, Table 6, shows the average and marginal combined rates of personal income tax and social security contributions paid by a taxpayer with average earnings of production workers in manufacturing in the countries specified for 1972:
Married couple with 2 children Average rate Marginal rate % % U.S.A. 15 28 France 7 14 Germany 21 26 United Kingdom 17 34 Personal income tax includes local income taxes, but not other forms of local taxation where they apply. Children are assumed to be of school age.
I regret that information in this form is not yet available for later years.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would have been the loss in revenue if tax thresholds had been raised to the same relationship with the national average wage as was the case in 1949–50 for the years 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonFor 1973–74 and 1974–75, about £2,000 million and £3,100 million respectively. I regret it is not possible to obtain the information for years prior to 1973–74 without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.
§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will ensure as speedily as possible that all single persons and married couples whose only income is national insurance and supplementary benefits are relieved from paying income tax;
(2) if he will ensure that persons who draw small occupational and State retirement pensions but rely on supplementary benefits are relieved from paying income tax.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.