§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will present the 201W distributional effects on (a) a single person, (b) a married couple, (c) a married couple with one child, (d) a married couple with two children earning two-thirds average earnings, average earnings, twice average earnings, five times average earnings and 10 times average earnings, of financing a reduction in the higher rates of tax to 60 per cent. by (i) increasing VAT, (ii) extending VAT to zero-rated items, (iii) extending VAT to exempted items and (iv) increasing other forms of indirect taxation;
(2) if he will present the distributional effects on (a) a single person, (b) a married couple, (c) a married couple with one child and (d) a married couple with two children, earning two-thirds average earnings, average earnings, twice average earnings, five times average earnings, 10 times average earnings, of financing each one penny cut in the standard rate of tax by (i) increasing VAT, (ii) extending VAT to zero-rated items, (iii) extending VAT to exempted items and (iv) increasing other forms of indirect taxation.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThere are so many permutations that Customs advise that these questions could only be answered at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.