§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to increase the income tax allowance for blind people in accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Incomes and Profits to take account of inflation; and, if so, when he expects to bring forward the appropriate legislation.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonIt is not the Government's policy to index the levels of personal tax allowances so that they are automatically adjusted to take account of inflation. We increased the special allowance for blind people last year, and blind people have also benefited from the increases in other allowances which we have made. The levels of all the personal allowances will be reviewed before next year's Budget.