§ 44. Mr. WILMOTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Estate Duty which has been paid to date on the estate of the late Sir John Ellerman; whether a complete and final valuation of the estate for Death Duty purposes has yet been made; and, if so, what is the figure of the valuation?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Duff Cooper)I am not prepared to disclose information relating to the estate of an individual taxpayer.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESCan the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any precedent at all for the information for which my hon. Friend asks?
§ Mr. COOPERNot so far as I am aware, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of that question?
§ Mr. WILMOTIf I can show the hon. Gentleman a precedent for giving such information, will he be prepared to state it in this particular case?
§ Mr. COOPERI think it is definitely not in the public interest to disclose the Income Tax return, or any return, about individual taxpayers. I must rely on the confidence which the taxpayer has in the discretion of the Government.
§ Mr. WILMOTWill not the hon. Gentleman have regard to the fact that it is not a request for information with regard to Income Tax, but Estate Duty, and, of course, the person concerned is no longer alive?
§ Mr. COOPERI think that the same objections obviously apply.
Viscountess ASTORIs it not of great public interest that Sir John Ellerman started as a penniless boy and made a fortune; and should not we look with pride on this triumph of private enterprise?