§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the current difference in eligibility for mortgage interest tax relief between (a) married and (b) cohabiting couples on (i) revenue to the Exchequer, (ii) house prices and (iii) household structure.
§ Mr. Norman LamontA married couple are entitled to mortgage interest relief on up to £30,000 of the loan to buy their main home, whereas single people sharing the purchase are each entitled to relief on up to £30,000. The direct revenue cost in 1987–88 of the additional mortgage interest tax relief which is available to sharers is estimated to be about £25 million.
Many factors affect house prices and household structure and it is not possible to identify separately the effect of the additional mortgage interest relief which is available to sharers.
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§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount spent on mortgage tax relief in Wales, Scotland and each of the English regions in each financial year since 1979 both at outturn and 1987 prices.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.