§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who the beneficiaries were of tax breaks to the film industry in the last 12 months; and what sums were involved. [25284]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe estimated tax cost of relief provided to British qualifying films in 2000–01 under section 48 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 was £90 million. We estimate that a further £50 million was provided under section 42 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1992. Without sections 48 and 42 we estimate that the amount of tax relief given to the film industry would be halved. The names of the recipients of the tax relief cannot be disclosed on the grounds of taxpayer confidentiality.