Mr. Jacksonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the stamp duty liability of tenants of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority who are buying their own homes.
§ Mr. MooreSection 107 of the Finance Act 1981 changed the stamp duty law so that those buying public sector dwellings at a discount—either under the right-tobuy provisions of the Housing Act 1980 or the Tenants Rights etc. (Scotland) Act 1980, or under a consent issued by the appropriate Secretary of State—should pay stamp duty on the actual—that is post-discount—price they pay for their house. This legislation does not apply to houses sold by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. My right hon. Friend intends to include a provision in next year's Finance Bill which would extend section 107 to sales by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and by other public sector bodies not at present covered. It is intended to give effect to the change as soon after next year's Budget day as practicable. As stamp duty is payable on the document which completes the transaction, purchasers will be able to benefit from the proposed change if the sale is completed after the date from which the proposed change takes effect.