§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total of (a) personal income tax and (b) value added tax lost to the Exchequer per annum as a consequence of illness caused either entirely or mainly by (a) smoking or (b) alcohol consumption.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 26 January 1982, c. 295]: I regret that information is not available on which to base an estimate. However the yield to the Exchequer in 1981–82 is estimated to be:
- (a) on smoking £4 billion.
- (b) on alcohol consumption £4.6 billion.