HC Deb 30 June 1910 vol 18 cc1133-4

Last year the Death Duties produced an unexpectedly and exceptionally high yield. The amount of property which passed under review, especially on the higher scales, was one of the highest, if not the highest, on record. It was an especially fatal year to millionaires. This year you cannot estimate the Death Duties upon the basis of what we received for last year. In fact, they are very difficult to estimate at all, and the general rule is to estimate upon the basis of a three years' average. I have taken that course in estimating the revenue for this year. I have taken a three years average, with this addition. I am making an allowance for an improvement in trade, and also an allowance for the improvement in the machinery of valuation, which is already beginning to produce good results. Therefore, I propose estimating my Death Duties at £25,650,000. That is an estimated increase of £2,504,000 for next year. It represents an increase of £4,200,000 on the original estimate of last year, but of only £2,504,000 upon the actual receipts of last year.

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