§ MR. M. HEALY (Cork)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what the average number of probates and administrations extracted each year in the United Kingdom is, and, approximately, in what proportion of them the nett assets would not exceed £1,000, taking any recent year as an example; and whether it is estimated that any increase of the Inland Revenue or Probate Court staffs will be necessary in consequence of the extra duties thrown upon them by Clause 13 of the Finance Bill?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) DerbyThe average number of probates and administrations extracted for the five years 1888–89 to 1892–93 was 68,250. Taking the year 1892–93, the number of 693 cases not exceeding £1,000 was 55,330. No such estimate as that referred to in the question has yet been made, I believe. As far as the Inland Revenue are concerned, there will be a great compensation for any Extra Duties thrown upon them in getting rid of all duties in respect of small estates by a single payment.