I would like to refer to your report on the parliamentary debate (TMID, 3 November) concerning the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister wherein you quoted me as expressing myself as being against the new tax bands proposed in the 2008 Budget.

What I actually said was “that the new proposed tax bands benefited those whose income is relatively high and that I approve of such benefits as these put money into the pocket of hardworking families who have endured the high burden of taxation imposed between 2003 and 2007 by the present government.

“Nonetheless the income tax reprieve of the 2008 budget estimates fail to address about 120,000 taxpayers whose income falls below the Lm4,500 bracket .Those whose income fall below the Lm6,000 mark benefit only marginally .

“These are also hard pressed by the cost of living, and therefore measures alleviating their current situation which negatively affect their purchasing power ought to be introduced as well.”

Dr Charles Mangion

MLP deputy leader for Parliamentary Affairs