HC Deb 24 May 1976 vol 912 cc81-2W
Mr. Bowden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in the financial year 1976–77 of extending the single person's age allowance to single, widowed and divorced women aged 60 to 64 years, inclusive.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

Information on which to base a precise calculation is not available, but the estimated cost would be of the order of £50 million.

Mr. Bowden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what saving would result in the financial year 1976–77 if (a) the married couple's age allowance and (b) the single person's age allowance were reduced to the relevant personal reliefs for those less than 65 years of age.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

About £140 million and £85 million, respectively.

Mr. Bowden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what saving would result in the financial year 1976–77 if the investment income of those persons aged 65 years and over were taxed in exactly the same way as those persons less than 65 years of age.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

About £16 million.