Mr. DENNISSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the delay, in some instances amounting to six weeks, occasioned to executors and trustees on the passing of accounts by the Estate Duty Office consequent on the recently introduced regulation directing that the values returned in accounts should be referred to district valuation officers to be checked, he will effect an amendment of such regulation in the case of properties returned as actually sold; and whether he will consider the possibility of modifying the regulations of the department so as to ensure reasonable despatch in the conduct of business, and particularly to relieve executors and trustees from the obligation of duplicating correspondence, as at present they are required to furnish information to the valuation officer already supplied in the accounts?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIt is not possible to effect the Amendment suggested in the first part of the question, as it is necessary to ascertain whether property returned as sold has, in fact, realised the market price estimated as at the time of the deceased's death. With regard to the second part of the question, every effort is already made to ensure despatch in the conduct of business, and to ensure that the valuation officer is furnished with all necessary information which has been supplied in the accounts.