HC Deb 21 October 1987 vol 120 cc791-2W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing by range of income for single persons and for one-earner and two-earner married couples, the number of tax units and the amount of tax payable in a full year at present rates of income tax compared with the amount which would be payable where (a) men and women are taxed separately with the abolition of the married man's allowance and the wife's earnings allowance, (b) all allowances and reliefs are restricted to the standard rate, (c) a reduced rate band at 21p equal in real terms to half the reduced-rate applicable in 1978–79 and (d) an increase in the standard rate to 29p.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Estimates are given in the table. I regret that further detail could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

of income tax to 50 per cent. and of reducing the basic rate of income tax by 1 penny in the pound would he about £450 million and £1.3 billion respectively. These estimates do not allow for any possible behavioural effects.