HC Deb 12 November 1929 vol 231 cc1715-6
48. Commander SOUTHBY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to provide that bequests to charities shall only pay the same rate of death duties as bequests to near relatives, and not the high rate of duty charged on be quests to persons not related to the testator by blood?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

My right hon. Friend will bear in mind the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, but he cannot hold out any hope of adopting it.

Commander SOUTHBY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this present system presses particularly hard upon the poor and distressed who benefit from these charities?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

I will put the hon. and gallant Member's point to my right hon. Friend.