§ 40. Mr. Stokesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any data exist whereby he can now ascertain what was the value of land as in March, 1939, with or without its present improvements, which may be the subject of purchase for public purposes; and whether, if no such data exist, it is proposed, in order to establish the purchase prices ruling in 1939 to have a valuation made ascertaining, in respect of each piece of land, what its value is presumed to have been in 1939.
§ Sir J. AndersonI am advised that sufficient data exist to enable the value to be ascertained as at March, 1939, of any land that may be the subject of purchase for public purposes.
§ Mr. StokesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I put this Question down to the Minister of Town and Country Planning? In view of the fact that that Minister could not answer the Question, would he kindly say why he is replying?
§ Sir J. AndersonActually the Department which is responsible for keeping 926 such information is a Department for which I am responsible, and that explains why my hon. Friend was invited to ask me the Question.
§ Sir H. WilliamsDoes the right hon. Gentleman keep the same data for the purpose of Death Duty valuations?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. The data collected for purposes of Death Duty valuations forms part of the basis on which these valuations are made.