§ 41. Mr. Wadeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now considered the representations made to him on the effect which liability to Estate Duty has on small and medium sized companies; and whether, having regard to the fact that forced sales of shareholdings encourage amalgamations and ultimate monopoly, he will institute a public inquiry into the effect of death duties on the structure of industry.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott) on 3rd February.
§ Mr. WadeIs it correct that the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Taxation did not cover death duties? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there is as strong a case for an inquiry into the nature and the effect of death duties as into other forms of taxation?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterPerhaps the hon. Member will put the tirst part of that supplementary question down as a Question.