§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the size of the cut in the standard rate of income tax required in 1987–88 to reduce the total tax payments, including income tax, national insurance contributions, indirect taxes, less child benefit where appropriate, for those on (a) three quarters and (b) 100 per cent. of average earnings in the categories: (i) single people, (ii) married couples and (iii) married couples with two and four children in each case to (x) the same sum of money and (y) the same proportion of gross earnings as in 1978–79;
(2) if he will construct an index with 1978–79 equalling 100, of the changes in the level of income tax and national insurance contributions for each subsequent year for a taxpayer on (a) half, (b) two thirds, (c) average, (d) five times and (e) 10 times average earnings for households where the taxpayer is (i) single, (ii) married, no children (iii) married with two children and (iv) married with four children, in all cases assuming the wife does not work, using a similar form to his answer of 27 March 1986, Official Report, columns 606–608.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.