§ Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts he estimates have been paid in tax reliefs, as a result of the tax changes made by the Government, to those, respectively, with incomes over £2,000 a year and £5,000 a year for each year since 1970 in real terms at 1970 prices, including his estimate for the year 1973–74; how many persons were included in both of these categories; and if he will specify the tax reliefs comprised by these figures.
§ Mr. Nott,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st June 1973] gave the following information:
Only part of the reliefs to individuals can be allocated by income groups and it would not be meaningful to provide figures for only that part of the total. Because of the cumulative nature of the reliefs and the changing composition of the income groups it would not in any case be meaningful to give figures on a year to year basis.