HC Deb 03 April 1990 vol 170 c528W
Mr. Clay

To 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.