§ MR. H. H. MARKSTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what would have been the approximate gain to the Exchequer, up to 30th March, 1907, if the 267 increased scale of death duties which he has now imposed had been imposed in April, 1906.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Last year was, of course, a particularly favourable year for the death duties, especially as regards large estates, and I calculate that the additional revenue from the increased rates, if they had been in force in respect of all estates upon which duty was paid in that year, would have been approximately£1,500,000. The proceeds in an average full year would be considerably less than that sum.