§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) concerning income tax yields, Official Report, 26th January, columns 779–80, so as to include complete figures for 1977–78 and best estimates for 1978–79.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI regret that in the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will republish the table contained in the Written Answer to the hon. Member for Blaby concerning income tax yields, Official Report, 15th February, columns 275–6, with the addi- 881W tion of comparable figures for 1977–78 and best estimates for 1978–79.
ESTIMATED INCOME TAX DUE IN THE YEAR £ million On the allowances and rates of the year If yield had risen in line with prices since 1973–74 If allowances and thresholds had risen in line with prices since 1973–74, with1973–74 tax rates On the allowances and thresholds of the year, but with 1973–74 tax (1) (2) (3) (4) 1973–74 … 8,100 — — — 1974–75 … 11,600 9,500 10,000 10,500 1975–76 … 15,700 11,900 11,700 13,500 1976–77 … 17,800 13,700 13,000 15,400 1977–78 … 18,000 15,600 14,300 15,900 1978–79 … 19,400 16,900 16,900 18,900 The figures for 1977–78 and 1978–79 exclude the estimated yields from the first two stages of the switch from child tax allowances and family allowances to child benefit, the inclusion of which would invalidate comparisons with the other columns and with previous years. It follows that in columns (1) and (4) the child tax allowances are those for 1976–77.