§ Mr. Hordernasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long it would take for a married couple without children, with the husband on average earnings, to reach a taxable figure of £5,000 if his earnings increased at the same rate as the average rate of increase since February 1974.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which of the countries listed in the answer to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 10th March 1977 average earnings are below those in the United Kingdom and in which average earnings are more than (a) 25 per cent. and (b) 50 per cent. higher 530W than in the United Kingdom for the periods given in the answer.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21st March 1977; Vol. 928, c. 406], gave the following information:
The answer to which the center hon. Member refers did not show average earnings in the countries mentioned, but the foreign currency equivalents of multiples of United Kingdom average earnings. I am not aware of any source which provides the information sought for the periods specified.