§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his estimates of the number of individuals presently paying income tax in(a) England and (b) Wales.
§ Mr. LilleyThe estimated number of individuals resident in England and liable to income tax is 20.4 million for 1987–88, the latest available year. The corresponding estimate for Wales is 940,000. Married women are included where their earned income exceeds the wife's earned income allowance and any personal allowances and reliefs unused against the husband's income.
§ Sir David MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the percentage of the population of the United Kingdom who do not pay any income tax.
§ Mr. LilleyIn 1990–91 it is estimated that about 45 per cent. of those aged 18 and over in the United Kingdom are not liable to pay income tax. Some may, however, receive interest on deposits in banks and building society accounts on which non-reclaimable composite rate tax has been paid. The estimate is based on a projection of the 1987–88 survey of personal income and is provisional.