§ 26. Colonel BURNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will expedite the assessing of Estate Duty in the case of Eliza Huxham, deceased, D.B. 1,005,185–13; whether he is aware that there are seven beneficiaries, who are poor working people; that they are unable to get the balance of their shares owing to the failure of the Valuation Department to report, and that the balance has been lying idle since 25th March last; and will he explain why there should be this unnecessary delay in a small property of £525 when full particulars of the sale of the property were delivered to Somerset House on 11th March, 1913?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI have made inquiries concerning this case, and find that it will be settled at once.
§ Colonel BURNWill the right hon. Gentleman cause matters to be expedited in Somerset House because the solicitors, members of his own profession, get a very bad name for delay which is no fault of theirs; and which is considered to be running up costs at the client's expense?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI did make a statement about that the other day. Undoubtedly there has been some delay in that respect.