§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will up-date his reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 20th July, columns 579–80, showing tax thresholds as a percentage of average male manual earnings yearly since 1949–50.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe figures are as follows:—
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe estimated costs of staff, administration and research for the National Economic Development Council are £2,110,000 for 1977–78 and £2,368,000 for 1978–79. The Office services the Council, the 18 economic development committees and 39 industrial strategy sector working parties and a few other committees. Chairmen of EDCs may receive £1,000 fee, but most do not take it. All other chairmen and members are unpaid. To calculate the total cost of running the economic development councils would require disproportionate work and expense since it would involve numerous judgments about splitting the salaries of staff and estimating the costs of accommodation, etc., provided by the PSA.