asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing in terms of current prices the current income tax allowances and tax bands for (a) a single person and (b) a married couple with two children, both on average earnings, compared to 1972–73, 1962–63 and 1952–53.

For 1982–83 the single person's allowance is £1,565, the married man's allowance is £2,445 and the first £12,800 of taxable income is chargeable at 30 per cent. Information of income tax allowances and tax bands current in the three earlier years in question may be found in "The Taxes Acts" Vol. 1 [H.M.S.O.]. Copies of the 1981 edition are available in the Library. Average weekly earnings—of male manual workers—are estimated as follows: