§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the married woman's earned income allowance for income tax purposes in 1983–84 on present policies and the estimated cumulative cost in each case if (a) the married allowance was raised to £3,500, (b) two reduced rate bands of £1,000 were introduced at 10 per cent. and 20 per cent. and (c) the band for the standard rate were reduced to £4,000 followed by two bands of £4,000 and four bands of £5,000 in incremental steps of 5 per cent. to a maximum of 65 per cent;
(2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table comparing the estimated cost in 1983–84 on current polices of (a) the married women's earned allowance and (b) the concession under which married women can elect to be taxed separately to take advantage of the lower tax then applicable, together with the estimated cost of both concessions in 1983–84 if the married allowance were raised to £3,500, two reduced rate bands of £1,000 were introduced at 10 per cent. and 20 per cent. and the standard rate band were reduced to £4,000 followed by two bands of £4,000 and four bands of £5,000 in incremental steps
278Wthe United Kingdom, taking into account established baselines. I shall write to the hon. Member with further details as soon as they have been obtained.