§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of dependency allowances, child tax allowances and family allowance or child benefit for a working widow with two children in 1977 and 1976; what will be the corresponding value for 1978; and how these figures compare with the value of child tax allowances and family allowance or child benefit for a married man with the same family.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year of increasing both the single and married allowances and also the age allowances, by £200, and at the same time cancelling the introduction of a lower rate of tax of 25 per cent. on the first £750 of taxable income.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the 355W effect on Inland Revenue staff numbers if the married and single allowances, non-retired, were raised beyond the levels set for 1978–79 by £240 and £120 respectively.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 673], gave the following answer:
The effect would be to reduce Inland Revenue staff requirements by about 450 units.