HC Deb 02 April 1913 vol 51 cc376-7
61. Mr. STANIER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many occasional valuations have been made under the provisions of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and how many of such valuations have resulted in claims being made for Increment Value Duty and substantiated?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)

Up to 29th March, 1913, occasional valuations had been made of 539,970 hereditaments in Great Britain and 1,051 claims to Increment Value Duty have been substantiated.

Mr. CASSEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in each of these cases, apart from all other expenses, a cost of one guinea is incurred, making a minimum cost to the public of an additional 500,000 guineas under that head alone?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not want to argue it now, hut, as the hon. and learned Gentleman knows, it provides a very valuable register which, I hope, one day will be amalgamated with the Land Registry and which will facilitate land transfer and make it much cheaper.

Mr. CASSEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the occasional valuation has nothing to do with the original valuation?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am talking of the record of the transaction.

Mr. CASSEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this particular matter to which I was calling attention, of a guinea in each case, has nothing to do with the original valuation, but the occasional valuation made on the occasion of each sale?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That is what I am referring to.

62. Mr. BOYTON

asked whether the estimate of £630,086 for the expenses of the Land Valuation Office for the year 1913–14 includes rent and other office expenses of the district and other official valuers?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The estimate does not include the rent of the offices referred to in the hon. Member's question, which is defrayed from the Vote for Public Works and Buildings, but it does include the expenses of cleaning and taking care of those offices.