§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement showing what the personal tax allowances will be for the year 1980–81 if the changes allowed for in section 22 of the Finance Act 1977 are based on the latest retail price index figure for December 1979; and if he will show the effect of this change for a worker and pensioner paying income tax at (a) lower rate and (b) basic rate.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1980, c. 254–55]: The figures, based on the increase of 17.2 per cent. between the December 1978 and December 1979 retail prices index, are as follows