§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he used the base year 1982–83 to answer the question from the hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) on 24 February, Official Report, c. 535.
§ Mr. RidleyThe question asked by how much personal tax allowances would have to be increased to restore their real value in 1978–79. The answer gave the increases needed to reach levels in 1983–84 which would be equivalent in real terms to 1978–79. These increases were expressed both as monetary amounts on top of the 1982–83 levels of the allowances, and as percentages on top of the levels of allowances required in 1983–84 to index them from 1982–83 by reference to the statutory formula.
§ Mrs. Sally Oppenheimasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what are the total personal tax allowances for a widow aged under 65 years with two dependent children earning £50 per week gross;
(2) what are the total personal tax allowances for a husband and wife with two dependent children where the husband is the sole earner;
(3) what are the total personal tax allowances for a married couple with two dependent children where both are in employment and the wife is earning £50 per week gross.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI shall let my right hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.