§ Mr. Cryerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the estimated cost of granting a household allowance for single persons renting or owning a flat or dwelling-house at the rate of (a) £50 per year, (b) £100 per year, (c) £150 per year, (d) £200 per year, (e) £250 per year and (f) £300 per year, respectively.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to allowances for income tax purposes. The information is not available on which to base such602W an estimate, but to increase the personal allowance for all single persons by these amounts at 1978–79 income levels would cost approximately the following in a full year:
Increase Cost £ million £50 125 £100 250 £150 375 £200 500 £250 620 £300 740
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a household allowance for widows, widowers and single persons renting or owning a flat or dwelling-house in recognition of the cost of heating, lighting and maintenance, which a single person faces in running a home and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI do not think that such an allowance would be appropriate.