§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be raised if income tax were collected on the value of all health insurance benefits given to employees; and what is the amount actually collected.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 3 March 1994]All directors, regardless of their earnings, and all employees earning at a rate of £8,500 a year or more—including the value of their benefits in kind—are taxed on any health insurance provided by their employers. An estimate of the tax collected on this basis was given in my answer to the hon. Member on 14 January 1994,Official Report, column 308. Information is not available about the numbers of employees earning at a rate of less than £8,500 a year who are provided with health insurance benefits by their employers.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions the Treasury has had with officials or Ministers from the Department of Health about(a) extending tax relief on private health insurance to those aged under 60 years or (b) abolishing tax relief for those aged over 60 years.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 3 March 1994]: Internal discussions within the Government are confidential.