HC Deb 19 June 1979 vol 968 cc537-8W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is giving consideration to the introduction of a new cost of living index which is not distorted by changes in the methods by which tax is raised.

Mr. Lawson,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 18 June 1979], gave the following answer:

The Government recognise that the purchasing power of people's earnings depends on deductions for direct taxation as well as on prices. However, they have

Mr. Peter Rees

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his other question on this subject. Information is not available to estimate the cost of tax relief for subscriptions to professional bodies.