HC Deb 22 June 1965 vol 714 cc1461-2
29. Mr. Crawshaw

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many estates have been accepted by the Treasury during the past five years in lieu of death duties; and what was their value.

Mr. MacDermot

Fourteen estates valued at£416,261 were accepted by the Treasury in satisfaction of Estate Duty during the five years ended 31st March, 1965.

Mr. Crawshaw

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for those figures. Do not they indicate a certain reluctance on the part of his Department to accept land in lieu of death duties? Can he assure us that no opportunity is lost to acquire land which will give the public greater means of access to areas of natural beauty?

Mr. MacDermot

There is no reluctance involved. We are dependent on the number of estates offered. A few offers have been rejected because the property concerned did not appear to age of increased revenue from Income Tax and Surtax on persons has gone up by 129 per cent. in that period the percentage decrease in company taxation has been 3 per cent.

Following is the table:

have sufficient amenity value. Subject to considerations of that sort, there is no reluctance to accept property.

Mr. Deedes

What proportion has been paid out by the National Land Fund? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that the Fund is being used according to the intention of the late Lord Dalton?

Mr. MacDermot

There is not a proportion. In every case the amount of Estate Duty is refunded to the Inland Revenue from the Land Fund.