§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the value of income tax personal allowances has increased in real terms since 1979; and how this amount has been distributed to each band of income taxpayers, both in total and in amount per taxpayer.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 30 March 1990]: Since 1978–79, the main income tax allowances have increased in real terms by over 24 per cent. If, for 1990–91, the personal, married couple's, and higher age-related allowances were reduced to levels equivalent to the 1978–79 allowances indexed to 1990–91, total income tax liability would be increased by some £4.9 billion, distributed as follows:
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 2 April 1990]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 21 March 1990 at column 610.