To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2009, Official Report, columns 421-22W, on tax allowances: personal pensions, how many individuals claimed income tax relief on personal pensions at (a) the basic rate and (b) the higher rate in 2006-07. (277345)

The number of individuals claiming income tax relief at the basic rate in respect of personal pension contributions was estimated to be 5.2 million in 2006-07. The number of individuals claiming income tax relief in respect of those taxed at the higher rate was estimated to be 1.3 million in 2006-07.

These figures have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 and relate to contributions by employees and the self-employed only. They are based on 2006-07 survey data.