To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of mortgage interest relief for 1987–88, divided by ranges of total income and showing (a)the number of each band receiving mortgage relief,(b)the average value of relief per mortgagor, (c)the total cost of relief, (d)the percentage of total cost and (e)the total number of taxpayers in each case.
| Tax units receiving mortgage interest relief by range of total income | |||||
| 1987–88 | |||||
| Range of total income | Number of tax units1 with mortgage interest relief2 | Average value of relief per mortgagor | Total cost of relief | Percentage of total cost | Number of tax units1 paying tax |
| (thousands) | (£) | (£ million) | (per cent.) | (thousands) | |
| Up to £5,000 | 720 | 370 | 270 | 5·6 | 3,200 |
| £5,000 to £10,000 | 1,620 | 460 | 740 | 15·3 | 7,400 |
| £10,000 to £15,000 | 2,500 | 550 | 1,370 | 28·2 | 4,800 |
| £15,000 to £20,000 | 1,770 | 580 | 1,030 | 21·2 | 2,600 |
| £20,000 to £25,000 | 860 | 580 | 500 | 10·3 | 1,300 |
| £25,000 to £30,000 | 410 | 780 | 320 | 6·6 | 550 |
| Over £30,000 | 520 | 1,190 | 620 | 12·8 | 750 |
| TOTAL | 8,400 | 580 | 4,850 | 100·0 | 20,600 |
| 1 Single persons and married couples. | |||||
| 2 Including about ½ million non-taxpaying tax units. | |||||
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (a) the amount of tax relief which will be claimed against forestry operations and (b) the area of land involved in these claims, under the interim arrangements for tax relief on forestry operations announced in his Budget statement in the current year.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the annual cost to the Exchequer of the revenue forgone as a result of the transitional provisions for tax relief to occupiers of commercial woodlands and those who became occupiers as a result of commitments entered into applications for grants received by the Forestry Commission before 15 March.
[holding answer 10 June 1988]: Income and corporation tax relief in respect of commercial woodlands was estimated at some £10 million a year at the rates of personal income tax applying before the Budget. Under the proposals announced in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget the relief is being phased out, and the cost will therefore reduce year by year at a rate which will depend on the extent to which the new planting grants are taken up. It is not possible to estimate the area of land which may be involved.