asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the direct revenue effect in 1986–87 of changing the rates of class 1 national insurance contributions in all earnings bands by one percentage point; and whether he will show separately the effect on employers' and employees' contributions.

It is estimated that such a change to all rates of employers' and employees' national insurance contributions in 1986–87 would have led to changes in receipts from employers and employees of £1,430 million and £1,290 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what would be the cost of abolishing employers' national insurance contributions in all assisted regions.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 January 1987]: I regret that the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.