HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 cc515-7W
Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish such figures as he has, comparing in local currencies and in pound sterling equivalent(a) gross domestic product per person, (b) average income tax paid per person and (c) average value added tax paid per person in each of the United Kingdom, Germany and France, during the latest year for which the figures are available.

Mr. Major

Comparisons of the United Kingdom, the German Federal Republic and France for 1986 may be made by reference to the relevant publications of the

Table 1: Companies Accounting periods ending in the financial year to 31 March
Number with gross trading profit for tax purposes1 thousands Gross trading profit for tax purposes of the companies in the first column £ million All taxable income after deductions allowed (profits chargeable to CT) £ million
1982 8 270 60
1983 8 330 80
1984 8 340 80
1985 8 380 140
1986 8 390 190
1 Companies with a trading loss in the year are excluded.

Note: The companies included are those whose main activity is in agriculture or horticulture. Their trading profits may include profits from non-agricultural and non-horticultural activities.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, namely OECD "National Accounts" volume 1 "Principal Aggregates" 1960 to 1986, and Revenue statistics of OECD member countries 1965–1987. Both these volumes are available in the Library of the House. It is recommended that comparison of GDP per head be made using the purchasing power parity figures (expressed in US dollars) published by OECD. Because numbers of taxpayers are not readily available, the comparisons requested on taxation per person cannot be derived. However some comparisons of taxation may be made by relating taxation statistics given in these volumes to measures of total economic activity, such as gross domestic product, both of which are available for 1986 expressed in the national currencies.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in theOfficial Report figures showing the estimated revenue yield from abolishing the wife's earnings election and revoking the reductions in the rate of income tax on the wealthiest 1 per cent. of tax units.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 19 October at columns934–36 and to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 9 May at column 30.