§ Mr. FELLasked how many deeds of transfer of land have been presented for stamping since the Budget of 1909–10 came into force, and have been stamped with a stamp denoting that the Increment Duty has been assessed and paid, with a stamp denoting that all particulars have been delivered and security given for payment of Increment Duty, and with a stamp denoting that no Increment Duty is payable?
§ Mr. MASTERMANExcluding certain Scottish and Irish deeds of transfer, for which figures are not available, the particulars desired are as follows: Practically no deeds have been stamped with a stamp denoting that Increment Value Duty has been assessed and paid; 728 deeds have been stamped with a stamp denoting that no Increment Value Duty is payable; 292,270 deeds have been stamped with a stamp denoting that all particulars have been delivered and security given for payment of Increment Value Duty, which enables the transferee to receive a duly stamped instrument alone. As I have already informed the hon. Member, there is no congestion in the stamping of deeds.
§ Mr. FELLHas not the number of these deeds which are not yet completed doubled since last year, and in these circumstances can the hon. Gentleman say there is no congestion in this business?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf my last answer is true that there is no congestion in the stamping of deeds, I do not see how the assertion of the hon. Member arises.
§ Mr. FELLIt arises because there are now 200,000 deeds waiting final settlement, and last year there were only 100,000.
§ Mr. MASTERMANThese deeds are all stamped and are all valid deeds, and they have left the Inland Revenue Department.