§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the cost of allowing wives to count their investment income as their own for income tax purposes, distinguishing between couples above and below retirement age.
§ Mr. MooreOn the basis of the recorded distribution of investment income between husband and wife, the overall cost of the income election described in paragraphs 46 to 50 of the Green Paper "The taxation of husband and wife" (Cmnd. 8093) remains at about £300 million. Of this, about one third is in respect of taxpayers over the age of 65.