§ Mr. Hordernasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were not liable to income tax on 1 January 1952, and at the same date in 1962, 1972, and 1982, respectively, or at the earliest and latest convenient dates if this information is not available.
§ Mr. RidleyThe available information is given in the table below. The "number of tax units" covers all people above the school leaving age who are not at school. The numbers paying income tax cover people with income tax records and exclude those whose only liability to tax is on building society interest. Married couples are counted as one throughout.
(millions) Number of tax units Income Tax Year Total Paying income tax Paying no income tax 1952–53 25.5 15.4 10.1 1961–62 *26.9 19.9 7.0 1971–72 28.2 19.7 8.5 1978–79 29.1 21.3 7.8 * Figures relate to the calendar years 1952 and 1961 respectively and do not cover those with incomes of less than £50. A figure for the calendar year 1951 is not available. Sources: Total of tax units—National Income Expenditure Blue Book.
Taxpayers—Inland Revenue Statistics; The Survey of Personal Incomes.