§ 29. Mr. John Hallasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases are involved and what estimate he can give of the cost of giving retrospective effect to Section 19 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1956, as from the decision in the Stewart's Executors' case in April, 1952, and as from the enactment of Part III of the Finance Act, 1938.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI estimate that if retrospective effect were given to Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1956, the number of cases involved might be between 15,000 and 30,000 since April, 1952, or between 50,000 and 100,000 since 1938. No estimate of the cost and no more precise estimate of the number of cases could be given without a detailed examination of all the estates for the periods concerned which were liable to Estate Duty.