§ Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a single person with a salary of £2,000 per annum in 1956–57 had a net income after tax of £1,698 per annum compared with £1,623 per annum in 1937–38, and that similarly, married persons with children in this income group were in 1956–57 anything from £100 to £200 per annum better off, after taxation, than in 1937–38; and whether, in his Budget, he will ensure that this group of taxpayers do not receive tax concession before those in the lower income group.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNo. The hon. Member is apparently quoting figures from the table I gave in reply to his56W Question on 14th March, 1957, about the net incomes of junior Ministers. I would draw his attention to the footnote to that table in which it is pointed out that the figures for the net income after tax in 1956–57 allow for the £500 of Parliamentary salary which may be drawn in addition to the salary as a Minister. The small increases in net income which he mentions, therefore, correspond to an increase of £500 in gross income and the final part of the Question accordingly does not arise.