§ Mr. LesterTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for the percentage increase since(a) 304W 1978–79 and (b) 1985–86 in (i) mortgage interest tax relief, (ii) of each of the private pension tax reliefs listed in Cm. 621, table 21.1.25, (iii) in the retail price index, (iv) in the index of average earnings and (v) as index of total personal incomes before tax with 1978 = 100.
§ Mr. Norman LamontProvisional estimates of the percentage changes in the items specified are given in the table.
Percentage change 1978–79 to 1988–89 percentage
1986–86 to 1988–89 percentage
Cost of tax relief for: Mortgage interest +395 +16 Employees' contributions to1 occupational pension schemes 2 +12 Employers' contributions to1 occupational pension schemes 2 -21 Investment income of1 occupational pension schemes 2 +13 Lump sum payments to pensioners1 2 +11 Contributions to personal pensions1 (including retirement annuity premia and FSAVCs) 2 3 Retail prices index 4+113 4+13 Average male earnings, (all occupations, adult rates) 5+174 5+28 1 See footnotes 5 to 8 to table 21.1.25 of Cm. 621. 2 Estimates of the costs of pension reliefs in 1978–79 are not readily available. 3 Personal pensions and FSAVCs were not introduced until 1987–88. 4 The RPI for 1988–89 is not yet available: percentage increases shown are for calendar years 1978 to 1988 and 1985 to 1988 respectively. 5 Based on actual figures to 1987–88 and a growth rate of 8¾ per cent, for 1988–89, as assumed by the Government Actuary for the purposes of assessing the National Insurance Fund (as in chapter 3 of the 1988 Autumn Statement). Figures for total personal income before tax are not available for 1988–89. Percentage changes to 1987–88 are as follows:
Percentage change 1978–79 to 1987–88 percentage
1985–86 to 1987–88 percentage
+139 +16