§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the rate of higher rate of income tax necessary to counterbalance the effect of(a) abolition of the lower rate of income tax and (b) the abolition of the lower rate of income tax and national insurance contributions for the lowest band tax payers. [37959]
§ Mr. JackIt would be inappropriate to comment about the range of possible changes to tax rates and thresholds being assessed for the Budget statement. The direct revenue effects of illustrative tax changes are shown in "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" published by HM Treasury in July, a copy of which is in the Library.