§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in the case of the estate of William Humphrys, de ceased, which comprises lands agreements for the sale of which to the tenants have been made under the Irish Land Act of 1903 but not completed, the Secretary of Estates Duties in Ireland has refused to accept payment of the estate duty by instalments; and whether, seeing that the person succeeding to this property is only receiving interest on the purchase money pending the completion of the sale, he will consent to a delay of the payment of the estate duty in full until the purchase money is paid over by the Land Commission.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The Com missioners of Inland Revenue have discretion, under Section 8, Sub-section 9, of The Finance Act, 1894, where they are satisfied that the estate duty leviable in respect of any property cannot without excessive sacrifice be raised at once, to allow payment to be postponed for such period, to such extent, and on payment of such interest not exceeding 4 per cent. or any higher interest yielded by the property, and on such terms as the Commissioners think fit. Any representations which may be made to the Com missioners in that sense, in the case to which the hon. Member refers, will receive careful consideration.