HC Deb 26 February 1976 vol 906 cc338-9W
Mr. Carter

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total foreign debt for each of the past 20 years.

Mr. Dell

I assume the hon. Member is interested in the total foreign currency debt of Her Majesty's Government and United Kingdom public sector bodies. This information is available quarterly in the balance of payments article in the Central Statistical Office's publication "Economic Trends"; these totals for the last 20 years are as follows:

1976; Vol. 906, c. 81], gave the following answer:

I regret that information is not available in the form requested for all years. For the two latest census years the approximate figures are:

Year Married men per cent. Single men per cent.
1971 94 96
1966 93 99

There is insufficient data on which to base estimates for earlier census years.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss of revenue which would be incurred in the current tax year if all married couples were taxed as single persons whose income was half their joint income.

Mr. Robert Sheldon,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23rd February 1976; Vol. 906, c. 81], gave the following answer:

I regret that the information on which to base such an estimate is not held readily available in the required form. To provide it and make the necessary calculations would involve revisions to existing computer programmes as well as the use of considerable computer running time, and the overall cost could not be justified.