§ 55. Mr. HURDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many landed estates have been transferred to private companies in the past five years; what capital was involved; and what has been the difference in taxation in respect of super-tax, death duties, and other obligations?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe information desired is not available and, from the nature of the case, any estimate of loss of revenue due to the formation of these companies could only be purely conjectural. The general question of avoidance of taxation by means of the formation of companies is, however, one which is engaging the attention of the Government.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that landed estates are fixed capital, and that when they have to pay taxation in cash, and the same method of taxation is applied to them as to liquid capital, it destroys the whole symmetry of every landed estate?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that is a question which might be raised when the Budget is under discussion next year.