§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to the Exchequer at the 1989–90 tax rates announced in the Budget of the married man's tax allowance in excess of the corresponding single person's allowance; how much of this cost is attributable to taxpayers aged below 65 years; and what is the weekly value of this extra relief to the married man paying income tax at the standard rate.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 8 May 1989]: The direct revenue cost, at 1989–90 levels of income, of the married man's allowance in excess of the single person's allowance is estimated at £4.9 billion, of which £4.1 billion is attributable to those aged under 65. The extra relief is worth £7.64 per week to a basic rate taxpayer not entitled to aged allowance.