§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons enjoyed mortgage interest tax relief in 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84, and what is his latest estimate for 1984–85.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1984, c. 315]: For the years 1979–80 to 1982–83 inclusive, about 5.9 million taxpayers benefited from mortgage interest tax relief. This figure excludes option mortgagors. From April 1983 the option mortgage scheme was subsumed in the new arrangements for giving mortgage interest relief at source. For 1983–84 and 1984–85 it is estimated that about 7 million taxpayers will benefit from mortgage interest relief (counting husband and wife as one).