Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the 1988–89 budget surplus was used to pay off the national debt; what are the details of the debts paid off; how much is estimated to have gone into reinvestment, and what is the basis for that estimate; how much is estimated to have gone into consumer expenditure; and what is the basis for that estimate.
§ Mr. LilleyThe Budget surplus in 1988–89 was forecast in the Financial Statement and Budget Report to have reduced the outstanding stock of net public sector debt (a more meaningful measure in modern circumstances than
Tax units1 receiving mortgage interest relief by range of total income 1989–90 Range of total income Numbers receiving mortgage interest relief (thousands) Average value of relief to mortgagor (£) Total cost of relief(£ million) Under £4,000 480 480 230 £4,000 to £5,000 160 490 80 £5,000 to £6,000 170 490 90 £6,000 to £7,000 270 500 130 £7,000 to £8,000 410 620 250 £8,000 to £9,000 430 640 280 £9,000 to £10,000 420 650 270 £10,000 to £12,000 860 660 570 £12,000 to £15,000 1,400 660 910 £15,000 to £20,000 1,880 720 1,350 £20,000 to £25,000 1,200 720 870 £25,000 to £30,000 610 860 520 Over £30,000 1,010 1,200 1,200 TOTAL 9,300 730 6,750 1 Single persons and married couples.