§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of allowing married couples to choose joint income tax assessment on the assumption(a) that each would retain their personal allowance, (b) that the 20 per cent. and 24 per cent. rate bands were doubled and (c) that the married couples allowance was not given. [2823]
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 12 November 1996]: The estimated full-year cost at 1996–97 income levels of allowing married couples to choose whether they are taxed under the current system of independent taxation or taxed under the proposed joint taxation regime is about £5 billion.