§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if it is his intention, when he brings the maternity allowance within the tax system, to treat it as earned income in respect of a married woman's earned income allowance; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if it is his intention, when he brings the sickness benefit within the tax system, to treat it as earned income in respect of a married woman's earned income
£million 31 March 1979 31 March 1980 Sterling national debt … … … … … 82,597 91,245* Interest paid in 1979–80 … … … … … 7,981† External currencies national debt … … … … 4,288 4,173* Interest paid in 1979–80 … … … … … 309† * Provisional. † The forecast of interest on the national debt in 1980–81 published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 500 of 26 March 1980) is £9,885 million.