§ Colonel DAYasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the high charges for registry and search fees and for Stamp Duty on transfer and mortgage payable by working people purchasing houses of the value of £750 or less through a building society; and whether it is proposed to take any action to reduce these fees and Stamp Duties?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI am not clear whether the hon. Member refers to transactions under the Land Registration Act; 1925, or under the Land Charges Act, 1925. The scale of fees under the Land Registration Act has been in operation since 1908 and amounts to 6s. per £100 on first registration, which would in the case which the hon. Member contemplates include the fee in respect of the mortgage, or 9s., including the mortgage in the case of a subsequent dealing. This does not appear to me to be excessive. As regards the Land Charges Act, unless the mortgage is of a kind not ordinarily to be expected in such a transaction as is described in the question, the only fee involved would be a search fee of 2s. per name searched against. Any question with regard to Stamp Duties would more appropriately be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.