§ 53. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the action of those persons who have in the exercise of their legal right taken steps to avoid the payment of Estate Duty by conveying their estates, inter vivos, to their heirs; and whether he will take steps to repair this and any similar leakage in the channels of public revenue?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLUnder existing law, gifts inter vivos made by an individual within three years of his death are liable to Estate Duty on such death.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not see that this question refers to gifts which have been made more than three years before the 267 death of the testator; and has he made any estimate of the enormous sums which have been lost to the Exchequer every year by this practice?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is a matter which should properly form part of the six or seven weeks Debate on financial topics which takes place every year.