asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year of increasing both the single and married allowances, and also the age allowances, by £200, and at the same time cancelling the introduction of a lower rate of tax of 25 per cent. on the first £750 of taxable income.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8th May 1978; Vol. 949, c. 354], gave the following information:At 1978–79 income levels and after taking account of the proposals in the Budget Statement the cost in a full year would be about £170 million.