§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated cost to his Department of extra-statutory concessions on benefits paid under permanent health insurance policies during 1991–92 and 1992–93.
§ Mr. DorrellI have been asked to reply.
Precise figures are not available centrally, but the estimated cost of the concession which exempted benefits from tax for the remainder of the tax year in which they commenced and the subsequent tax year was £10 million in 1991–92 and £15 million in 1992–93. The revenue cost of this concession will be lower in future years as a result of the changes in its operation which were announced on 30 November 1993.