To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many couples with children, in the tax year 2000–01, will face a loss as a result of abolition of the married couples allowance in April 2000, broken down by type of housing tenure; and what the average loss will be. [76842]

[holding answer 15 March 1999]: An approximate breakdown by housing tenure of the number of married couples who will no longer benefit from the married couple's allowance in 2000–01 and have children eligible for child benefit is shown in the table. These estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Survey.