§ Mr. Viggersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loss of stamp duty revenue in 1982–83 would occur as a result of the implementation of each of the following changes: (a) an increase of £5,000 in each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase, (b) an increase of £10,000 in each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase, (c) raising each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase by an amount which would restore them to the real value held in 1974, by comparison with (i) the retail price index and (ii) the Building Societies Association and Department of the Environment house price index, (d) replacing the present system with a system whereby stamp duty is levied at the appropriate rate only on that part of the house price which exceeds each threshold and (e) implementing changes (c) and (d) together.
§ Mr. RidleyI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.