§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report estimates from the 1981 family expenditure survey of (a) low income families under pension age with children and (b) low income childless families and single people under pension age facing marginal tax rates of (i) 40 per cent. and over but less than 50 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent. and over but less than 75 per cent., (iii) 75 per cent. and over but less than 100 per cent., and (iv) 100 per cent. or over;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report estimates from the 1981 family expenditure survey of (a) low income families under pension age with children and (b) low incomes childless families and single people under pension age facing marginal tax rates of (i) 40 per cent. and over but less than 50 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent. and over but less than 75 per cent., (iii) 75 per cent. and over but less than 100 per cent. and (iv) 100 per cent. or more.
§ Dr. Boyson[pursuant to his replies, 15 December 1983, c. 579 and 2 February 1984, c. 347–348]: The information requested is shown in the following tables. They cover families and single people, under pension age and in full-time work.
Table 1 Families with children (Great Britain—1981 average)
Marginal tax rate (per cent.) Number 40 but below 50 100,000 50 but below 75 200,000 75 but below 100 50,000 100 and over 10,000 Total 360,000
Table 2 Families and single persons without children (Great Britain—1981 average)
Marginal tax rate (per cent.) Number 40 but below 50 80,000 50 or more* 70,000 Total 150,000 * Sample numbers too small for a more extended analysis but almost all individuals are likely to have marginal tax rates in the 50 to 75 per cent. range.