§ 65. Mr. David Jonesasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, in consequence of a change by the Inland Revenue Department in the manner in which deeds requiring to be stamped are dealt with in the North-East, a delay of upwards of 14 days is now taking place in the return of such documents, as against 48 hours previously; that such delay is causing great inconvenience to the professional people concerned and to members of the public; and whether he will revert to the former practice employed in connection with these documents.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI have written to my hon. Friend about the matter.
§ Mr. JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a document received back on Saturday morning had been away three weeks for stamping? Does he anticipate that there is to be an improvement?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallWe do regret that here and there is delay. As and when it is pointed out, we do our best to rectify 209 matters. I am grateful to the hon. Member for having pointed out the delay in this case. We shall see what we can do to avoid delay in the future.