asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the information on life assurance taxation relief given in the reply dated 19 December 1979, Official Report, c. 210–11, to the hon. Member for Grimsby.

The reply referred to related to the year 1978–79. Since 1979–80, life assurance relief has been obtained by deduction on payment of the premium by the individual and no information on the distribution of relief by income range is available. The total cost of the relief in a full year at 1982–83 income levels is estimated at £600 million.