asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the aggregate cost to the Exchequer of tax relief on mortgage repayments for first-time house buyers (a) in the first year of repayment and (b) in each of the next four years.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 January 1983, c. 20]: I regret that estimates cannot be provided as the information on mortgage interest eligible for tax relief does not distinguish that paid by first-time buyers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the annual gain to the Exchequer of restricting tax relief on mortgage repayments to tax paid at the standard rate income tax.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 January 1983, c. 20]: the latest estimate of the yield is £140 million in a full year at 1982–83 income levels.