§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the impact in 1992–93 on the retail prices index of raising £1 billion from(a) tobacco products, (b) beer, (c) wine and spirits, (d) petrol, (e) VAT and (f) vehicle excise duty.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 2 March 1992]:
Percentage change (a) Tobacco products 0.4 (b) Beer 0.5 (c) Wine and spirits 0.7 (d) Petrol 0.2 (e) VAT 0.3 (f) Vehicle Excise Duty 0.2 These estimates are based on 1991 RPI weights. The weights for 1992 have yet to be finalised.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the most recent figures for the number of non-taxpayers who are claiming mortgage interest relief at source, in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 2 March 1992]: MIRAS is available on all qualifying mortgages regardless of the tax status of the mortgagor. A very approximate estimate, based on household survey information, is that there are about 1 million non-taxpayers with MIRAS.