§ 8. Mr. Shinwellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the loss over the last ten years in death duties 864 which would otherwise have been payable through bequests and transfers of property to the National Trust.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI regret this information is not available.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhile no doubt substantial benefits accrue to the nation from these bequests, is the Chancellor consulted before the transfer is made, and is he made acquainted with the general transactions of the National Trust? Is he aware that it is almost impossible to have a Question affecting the National Trust accepted at the Table and that I had to have recourse to this Question in order to gain some information about the transactions of the National Trust?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIf the right hon. Gentleman is in any difficulty of that kind, I shall try to meet him, and if he has any questions, whether or not they are acceptable at the Table, I shall try to answer them.