§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the United Kingdom, allowing for the Finance Bill amendments carried in Committee,
Average U.K. weekly earnings Twice average U.K. weekly earnings Three times average U.K. weekly earnings Belgium … … … Nil (Nil) 8.4 (9.9) 19.3 (20.8) Denmark … … … Nil (8.1) 13.3 (30.0) 19.3 (38.6) France … … … Nil 3.3 8.1 Germany … … … Nil 9.0 15.5 Ireland … … … 5.1 22.9 35.2 Italy … … … 6.6 15.6 20.3 Luxembourg … … … Nil 1.5 10.0 Netherlands … … … Nil 7.7 16.5 U.S.A … … … 1.8(1.8) 10.2 (12.1) 15.2 (18.5) Australia … … … 2.2 18.8 28.0 Japan … … … Nil (0.5) 3.0 (5.3) 5.8 (10.3) United Kingdom … … … 13.1 23.1 30.4 Notes:
1. Figures are for a married man with two children under 11. It is assumed all income is employment income of the husband.
2. Any child benefits receivable have been set off against income tax, and the resulting net figures expressed as a percentage of gross income.
3. United Kingdom average earnings are the March 1978 figure for all full-time workers aged 18 and over.
4. Exchange rates used are those for 4th June. Such rates are not in general an accurate reflection of relative purchasing power.
5. Personal reliefs, minimum expenses deductions, employment income reliefs, other flat rate reliefs and deductable social security contributions have been taken into account.
6. Tax rates used are those for 1978, except for France (1977), Ireland (1978–79 Budget proposals), Australia (1977–78) and United Kingdom 11978–79 Budget proposals as amended in Finance Bill Committee).
7. The figures in brackets include local income taxes for:
Belgium — at the rates which apply to the majority of the population;
Denmark — at the Copenhagen rate (not untypical of the average):
U.S.A. — at the Californian rate (not untypical of the average);
Japan — at the rates which apply to the majority of the population.