HL Deb 21 July 1955 vol 193 c949

2.5 p.m.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are prepared to consider the appointment of an appropriate body to study and report on the desirability of again permitting relief from estate duty in respect of gifts for religious, educational and charitable purposes as, for illustration, exists in Canada and the U.S.A.]

THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (THE EARL OF SELKIRK)

My Lords, the liability for estate duty in respect of gifts inter vivos for public or charitable purposes is governed by the Finance Act of 1894. This Act, which introduced estate duty, fixed the period within which gifts inter vivos attracted liability to duty at one year before the date of death. This provision has continued to apply to gifts for public or charitable purposes up to the present time. The extension of this period to five years in respect of other kinds of gifts does not apply to gifts for public or charitable purposes. In these circumstances it does not seem to my right honourable friend to be necessary to set up a special body to examine this particular liability to estate duty.

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