HC Deb 07 May 1913 vol 52 cc2052-3W
Mr. PRETYMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice of the Commissioners to refuse to allow returns of principal value for Estate Duty at a different figure to that arrived at for total value in the provisional valuation, in cases where the death of the owner has taken place after the date of the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and the provisional valuations have become settled by effluxion of time; and, if so, if he will state under what Section of the Act this is being done?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

There is no rigid rule such as that indicated in the first part of the question, and the second part does not therefore arise. I would, however, point out that, where there are no circumstances which differentiate total value from principal value, and there has been no change in value since 30th April, 1909, there will generally be no justification for a valuer agreeing to two different values of the same property.