HC Deb 27 March 2000 vol 347 cc178-9

Resolved, That the following provisions shall have effect for the period beginning 28th March 2000 and ending 31 days after the earliest of the dates mentioned in section 50(2) of the Finance Act 1973— (1) Paragraph (2) applies where—

(a) an instrument transferring marketable securities would not, apart from this Resolution, be or fall to be treated as a transfer on sale for the purposes of stamp duty; but (b) the transfer of the marketable securities is for consideration; and (c) the consideration is or includes any qualifying property ("the other property").

(2) For the purposes of Part I of Schedule 13 to the Finance Act 1999, the instrument transferring the marketable securities shall be taken to be a transfer on sale of those securities.

(3) If the amount or value of the consideration for that transfer on sale would (apart from this paragraph) exceed the market value of the marketable securities immediately before the execution of the instrument transferring them, the amount or value of the consideration shall be taken to be equal to that market value.

For this purpose the market value of property at any time is the price which that property might reasonably be expected to fetch on a sale at that time in the open market.

(4) Paragraph (2) has effect even though—

  1. (a) the transfer of the marketable securities is the whole or part of the consideration for a sale of the other property; or
  2. (b) the transaction is by way of exchange.

(5) Paragraph (2) does not affect any charge to stamp duty in respect of the same or any other instrument so far as it relates to the transfer of the other property.

(6) In this Resolution "qualifying property" means any debt due, stock or securities, to the extent that the debt, stock or securities are not chargeable securities, within the meaning of Part IV of the Finance Act 1986.

(7) This Resolution shall be construed as one with the Stamp Act 1891.

(8) This Resolution applies to instruments executed on or after 28th March 2000.

(9) But this Resolution does not apply to an instrument giving effect to a contract made on or before 21st March 2000, unless—

  1. (a) the instrument is made in consequence of the exercise after that date of any option, right of pre-emption or similar right; or
  2. (b) the instrument transfers the property in question to, or vests it in, a person other than the purchaser under the contract, because of an assignment (or, in Scotland, assignation) or further contract made after that date.

And it is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution should have statutory effect under the provisions of section 50 of the Finance Act 1973.