HC Deb 05 May 1969 vol 783 cc37-8W
Mr. Kenneth Baker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the revenue in each of the last five years of allowing interest on borrowing, other than mortgages, to be offset against taxable income; how many taxpayers benefited; and what was the average interest claimed by each taxpayer.

Mr. Harold Lever

In the case of non-traders about £20 million in 1964–65 and about £25 million in each of the next four

13th October, 1964 to 18th March, 1969 19th July, 1966 to 18th March, 1969 14th November, 1967 to 18th March, 1969 23rd April, 1968 to 18th March, 1969
Nationalised industries 25.8 14.1 6.7 4.6
Food 19.8 11.4 9.5 4.8
Housing 24.5 10.9 4.7 2.4
Fuel and light 26.3 15.7 6.5 3.9
Durable household goods 13.1 8.6 6.5 3.0
Clothing and footwear 10.3 5.6 3.9 3.0
Transport and vehicles 19.9 11.8 7.8 2.8
Miscellaneous goods 23.7 15.8 13.4 4.9
Services 30.3 16.8 10.0 7.9
All items 20.8 11.7 8.2 4.4
Notes:
1. The items included under the heading "nationalised industries" are: Coal; Coke; Gas; Electricity; Road and rail passenger transport; Postal and telephone services.
2. These items are also included in other groups as follows: Coal, coke, gas and electricity in Fuel and light; Road and rail passenger transport in Transport and vehicles; Postal and telephone services in Services.

years. The numbers of cases, and therefore the average amounts, are not available.