§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the various yields in 1991–92 and 1992–93 of restricting tax relief against corporation tax by disallowing a fraction of total interest payments, according to the formula x divided by (x + 5), where x is the percentage increase in the retail prices index over the financial year, and is assumed to be either(a) 7 per cent. for 1991–92 and 5 per cent. for 1992–93 or (b) 6 per cent. for 1991–92 and 4 per cent. for 1992–93 or (c) 5 per cent. for 1991–92 and 3 per cent. for 1992–93.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 26 February 1991]: I regret that information on interest payments by companies is not available centrally to the extent required to provide a reliable estimate; and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.