§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is total expenditure on housing during 197980, including the cost of mortgage tax relief; and what level of uniform adult tax allowance, transferable between married couples, could be financed if mortgage tax relief were abolished and if housing expenditure were reduced to £2 billion in all.
§ Mr. Peter ReesAbout £7 billion. If this was reduced to £2 billion the reduction would finance an increase in tax allowances to approximately £1,730 for a single person and twice this for a married couple, at 1979–80 income levels.