asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the weekly national insurance contribution would have to be increased to produce £400 million per annum.

On the economic assumptions used in the Government Actuary's report on the Contributions Re-rating Order 1978, Cmnd. 7403, an increase in the standard contribution rate of 0·55 per cent. for employees or 0·50 per cent. for employers would increase contributions on earnings in the tax year 1979–80 in Great Britain by £400 million.