§ Mr. SymsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies his Department is undertaking on the possible effects of an increase in income tax. [125044]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Government have committed themselves not to increase the basic or top rates of income tax within the lifetime of this Parliament. Policies on income tax rates and allowances are set out in the Budget and Pre-Budget reports, which are available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2003,Official Report, column 933W, on income tax, what factors underlay his conclusion that the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. [125398]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe information could be provided only at disproportionate cost because nearly 2,000 pieces of information have been requested (increasing the basic rate limit to seven different levels, and for each limit, introducing 13 additional higher income tax rates for 20 annual gross income levels). The sum of these requests would require a separate analysis that would exceed the rate for reasonable cost.