HC Deb 24 April 1923 vol 163 c272
51. Mr. POTTS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will undertake to introduce legislation whereby personages enjoying titled names under the present laws of the realm may be called upon to pay a title tax, graduated on the basis of the dignity deemed to be created by the conferment of the title?

Mr. BALDWIN

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, charges by way of fees and stamp duties on a graduated scale, ranging from £270 2s. in the case of a baronet to £730 2s. in the case of a duke, are now normally imposed on the creation of hereditary honours. The amounts of revenue which would be received from a tax on titled names would not be considerable and I am not prepared to introduce legislation.

Mr. POTTS

May I ask whether the taxing of titled persons according to means and merits of title—

Mr. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member has written out his question, he should hand it in.

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