§ 24. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that lands or buildings have been offered to the Treasury in payment of Death Duties in forty-one cases during the past two years, but accepted in none, and that in thirty-three of these cases the property offered was not deemed suitable to the requirements of any public Department, he will state in what way such property was unsuitable, and what kind of real estate will be accepted in compliance with the provisions of Section 56 of the Finance (1909‘10) Act, 1910?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is only possible within the limits of an answer to state very roughly the various classes of property suitable for the requirements of the public Departments for whom the Board of Inland Revenue act as intermediaries, but I may mention as examples of property that will be considered, shops, warehouses, etc., for Labour Exchanges, land suitable for school sites or otherwise likely to be required by local authorities, properties in proximity to estates belonging to the Crown, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, or the Prison Commissioners, and to naval establishments, etc. Speaking generally, the properties hitherto offered have been deemed unsuitable as not satisfying requirements of the kind indicated, but I may say that some of them have been obviously undesirable for any public purpose, as, for instance, a half of a thirteenth share of two leasehold cottages with thirteen years unexpired.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to reply that ordinary farming land or other agricultural land would never be accepted in payment of Death Duties?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I do not think I said so at all. If suitable for public purposes it would be accepted. Every case must be judged on its merits.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYWould land on the borders of a big town be suitable?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt depends entirely on what the land is and for what it would be suitable.