To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the gain to the Exchequer of taxing child benefit for taxpayers at the 40 per cent. tax rate in 1988–89.

The direct revenue yield in 1988–89 from taxing child benefit at 40 per cent. for those married couples and single parents facing a marginal tax rate of 40 per cent. for that year is estimated to be about £140 million.