§ Mr. Newtonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people over retirement age are receiving tax relief on mortgage interest under paragraph 24 of schedule 1 to the Finance Act 1974; what is estimated to be the current cost of this relief; and what he estimates would be the cost of assistance similar to the option mortgage scheme to those people over retirement age whose incomes are too small to allow them to benefit from tax relief.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.