§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects next to raise the blind person's tax allowance.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply, 1 February 1980]: My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor will be reviewing personal allowances prior to his Budget.
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the blind person's tax allowance; when it was last increased; and what its value would be today if it had been increased in line with (a) prices, (b) earnings and (c) other personal tax allowances.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply, 1 February 1980]: Since 1975–76 the blind person's tax allowance has been £180 per year. If it had been increased in the ways specified the figures for 1979–80 would have been as follows:
Increased in line with changes in Blind person's tax allowance £ (a) Retail prices index 299 (b) Male average earnings (all occupations) 300 (c) Single person's allowance 311 (d) Married person's allowance 342