§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the level of (a) the personal income tax allowance, and (b) the married couples' allowance in the tax year 1996–97 if both allowances had been fully index-linked since 1979.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishIf the corresponding allowance for 1978–79 had been indexed in line with movements in the retail prices index, the personal allowance would be £3,115 and the married couple's allowance for those aged under 65 would be £1,730. The proposed levels of the allowances for 1996–97 are higher—at £3,765 and £1,790, respectively.