§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the average weekly cost to the Exchequer of paying tax refunds to 1 million members of the work force not working due to strikes or lay-offs.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe amount of the tax refund available to a person who goes on strike or is laid off varies according to income, family circumstances and the PAYE week in which the event takes place. Furthermore, the cost to the Exchequer of the tax refunds may be offset by reductions in supplementary benefit payable. There are, therefore, too many variables to give any realistic estimate of cost.