§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of persons receiving basic state pension who pay income tax; and what revenue is raised from this source.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 14 April 1983, c. 442]: No one whose income consists solely of the basic national insurance retirement pension will pay income tax in 1983–84. It is estimated that, at 1983–84 income levels, just over 2 million single people or married couples over 65 who receive a national insurance retirement pension have enough additional income to bring them into liability to income tax.