HL Deb 31 March 1977 vol 381 cc1093-4WA
The Earl of SELKIRK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their attention has been drawn to the reports published in the evening papers of the precise manner in which British subjects have been tortured and thereafter murdered with brutality at the behest of the Angolan Government; whether these reports are thought to be correct and whether the details have been drawn to the United Nations Commission on human rights.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

We have no information which would support the allegations of torture made in the Press reports and have not taken action with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Our view of the trial and executions was made clear in another place on 12th July 1976.

Whether they will publish in the Official Report a table showing what proportion of his earnings is retained after payment of tax by a married man with two children, whose whole income is earned, in the United Kingdom, the United States, West Germany, France, Canada and Italy at levels of annual income of £5,000; £10,000; £15,000; £20,000 and £25,000 respectively using the rate of exchange effective on 1st March 1977.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)

In the following table it has been assumed that the taxpayer is a married man with two children under 11 and that all his income derives from his employment: