asked the Minister for Finance if there has been any revision of the post-budget estimate for 1980 of receipts of £794 million under PAYE.

: It is not the practice to publish revised tax revenue estimates during the course of the year. However it is expected that receipts under PAYE will exceed the post-budget estimate of £794 million due to the emerging level of wages and salaries; ordinary wages and salaries account for most but not all such receipts.

: Will the Minister give the House some indication of how much more he is going to collect in taxation than was the figure on which he planned his budget? Will he give the House this information even in percentage terms?

: I cannot do so. Obviously there are some special pay increases that have not been determined yet which may apply this year. As I indicated in my reply, the level of revenue will be in some way related to the level of pay increases. It would be engaging in speculation to give any figure. As I have said, it is expected that receipts will exceed the estimate of £794 million. I said in my budget statement when I put in provisions for special pay increases in round terms that if there was an excess it would be matched to some extent, but not of course totally, by revenue.

: Will the Minister state if the excess will be marginal, moderate or substantial?

: Perhaps the Deputy would define what he means by marginal, moderate or substantial? It might be of some help.

: I hope the Deputy does not do that. It has nothing to do with the question.

: The Minister is being very coy.