§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the number of higher-rate taxpayers for each year since 1978–79;
Estimated Numbers of Taxpayers United Kingdom Thousands Income Tax Year All taxpayers (married couples counted as one) Taxpaying wives Higher rates Investment income surcharge *Corporation tax †Capital gains tax Estate duty and capital transfer tax 1978–79 21,700 4,700 763 611 479 265 44 1979–80‡ 21,500 4,700 670 300 N/A N/A 49 1980–81‡ 21,200 4,600 760 350 N/A N/A N/A 1981–82‡ 21,600 4,700 1,000 390 N/A N/A N/A * Number of assessments in companies etc. made in the year. † Number of assessments for a given year. The figures for earlier years have been revised, as follows: 1973–74 285 1974–75 175 1975–76 215 1976–77 200 1977–78 175 ‡ Estimated. N/A=Not available.