STAMP DUTY ON LEASE AGREEMENTS.

HC Deb 17 March 1893 vol 10 cc381-2

MR. JEFFREYS () Hants, Basingstoke

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of leases and agreements to take farms since the passing of the last Tithe Act, in accordance with which the landlord now pays the tithe, but the same is included in the amount of the rent mentioned in the lease, the ad valorem Stamp Duty on the leases is to be calculated on the rent, less the tithe?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) Derby

The answer to this question is in the negative. The Stamp Duty on a lease, or on an agreement for a lease, is charged upon the rent reserved thereby, and no deduction is allowed on the ground that such rent is calculated by reference to, or may include, tithe, or any other liability imposed upon the landlord.

MR. JEFFREYS

Is not this a great injustice, seeing that the duty is calcu- lated on a larger amount than is actually received? Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer take steps to remedy it?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I will consider it. But the existing law applies to tithe us to every other liability.