asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in tabular form his estimates of the number of people taken out of income tax by Budget changes in each of the past 10 years, and the total number of people who paid income tax in each of the same years, including a provisional estimate for the current year; and if he will distinguish between earning wives and others; and if, for the years since 1976–77, he will show separate figures for changes due to section 22 of the Finance Act 1977.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 February 1980, c. 381]:higher level of earnings if there were no increase in the personal allowances.

It is not the practice to give such estimates in advance of the Budget Statement. The yield of income tax in 1980–81 will depend on the level of economic activity, interest rates and other factors apart from the level of earnings and other sources of income.