§ Mr. Cordleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received from members of the 469W public and/or organisations concerning the effect of development land tax upon the work of churches and charities; how many such representations have supported the incidence of the development land tax presently proposed; and how many such representations have been critical thereof;
(2) if he will take appropriate steps to ensure that churches and other charities are totally exempt from the incidence of development land tax.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesI have received a number of representations on this subject, and the matter was fully debated in Standing Committee J on Thursday 29th April. The Government continue to take the view that the present proposals represent a fair balance between the special claims of charities and the need to return development values to the community.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated loss of revenue in the tax years 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80 if churches and other charities were to become totally exempt from the incidence of development land tax.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesI regret that the information on which to base an estimate is not available.