HC Deb 18 November 1982 vol 32 cc231-2W
Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the size of the cut in the standard rate of income tax to the nearest 0.1 penny now required to reduce the total tax payments—income tax, national insurance contributions, indirect taxes less child benefit where applicable—for those on 75 per cent., 100 per cent. and 200 per cent. of national average earnings for single people, married couples and married couples with two children families in each case to the same proportion of gross earnings as in 1978–79;

(2) if he will estimate the size of the cut in the standard rate of income tax to the nearest 0.1 penny which would be required in the financial year 1982–83 and in 1983–84 to reduce the total tax payments—income tax, national insurance contributions, indirect taxes less child benefit where applicable—for those on 75 per cent., 100 per cent. and 200 per cent. of national average earnings for single people, married couples and married couples with two children families in each case to the same total sum of money in constant prices as in 1978–79;

(3) if he will express total tax payments—income tax, national insurance contributions, indirect taxes less child benefit where applicable—for single people, married couples and married couples plus two children families at 75 per cent., 100 per cent., 200 per cent. and 500 per cent. of national average earnings in each case as a percentage of their gross weekly earnings for each year until 1982-83 as far back to 1945 as data allows and including an estimate for 1983–84 on the basis of announced policy changes and the conventional assumptions incorporated in the latest forecast required under the Industry Act 1975.

Mr. Ridley

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.