§ Lord Diamondasked Her Majesty's Government:
What change there has been in the share of the average family's gross earnings taken in total taxes and national insurance contributions since 1978–79 in the case of 1½ times, twice, three times and five times average earnings, as compared with the rise of "two to two and a half percentage points" stated by the Secretary of State for Employment (Official Report, 26th March 1986, column 1393).
§ The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)The share of taxes and national insurance contributions for a family on 1½ times average earnings is expected to be 1½ to 2 percentage points higher in 1986–87 than in 1978–79. Figures for higher multiples of average earnings are not available because indirect tax payments cannot reliably be estimated at these levels.