§ Mr. FELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury, if the congestion in the stamping of deeds at Somerset House has now been removed, and if the 100,000 deeds of transfer which were provisionally stamped pending the assessment of Increment Duty upon them have now been finally stamped and the duty, if any, on the transfers paid?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe hon. Member's question implies some misapprehension of the facts. There is not, and has not been, any congestion in the stamping of deeds at Somerset House. The only stamp necessary in connection with Increment 1369 Value Duty does not denote the amount of duty paid or to be paid and is given at once on production of the requisite particulars with regard to the transfer which forms the subject of the deed.
§ Mr. FELLIs it not the fact that there were over 100,000 deeds mentioned about this time last year as having been presented at Somerset House, and having been, not finally, but provisionally stamped?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no information on that point, but I shall be glad to inquire if the hon. Member desires.