§ Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Section 13 of the Finance Act, 1910, has been so construed in Ireland that 10 per cent. Reversion Duty has been exacted on the renewal of leases for more than twenty-one years in towns where the improvements were made by the tenant, although the landlord exacts no fine and only a small increased rent; whether the 10 per cent. Reversion Duty is levied on the difference in the value of the town site, including the value arising from the buildings erected by the tenant; and whether, where landlords have encouraged, under a town tenant-right custom, building by not exacting fines or rack rents for renewal leases, he will amend the law so that the 10 per cent. duty shall be solely calculated on the actual value of the reversion measured by the increased rent or fine received by the landlord?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe law and practice in Ireland, as also in Great Britain, is as suggested by the hon. and learned Member in the first and second parts of the question. With regard to the last part, if a lessor voluntarily relinquishes in favour of a tenant a benefit to which he is legally entitled, it would not be difficult for him to do so under conditions which would leave him in no worse position than if the transaction had taken place prior to the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910.