§ MR. O'SHEETo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on the Committee Stage of the Irish Land Bill of 1903 the right hon. Member for Dover and Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland, who acted with him, both undertook to consider the grievance created in reference to holdings purchased under Land Purchase Acts in Ireland by reason of the fact that on the sale or transfer of such holdings from the tenant purchasers, by private treaty or public auction, the stamp duty is chargeable not only on the actual money passing, but on the outstanding advance in respect of the previous purchase of the holding from the landlord; whether he is aware that this grievance has been accentuated by the fact that under the Land Act of 1903 landlords are receiving prices not previously dreamt of; and whether he will introduce an amendment of the law to remove this tax which constitutes an increasing burden on Irish agriculture.
338 (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I have nothing to add to the reply which was given upon this subject by my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury on the 4th of March last.†