§ Mr. PriskTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish(a) the results of the consultation on the reform of stamp duty land tax affecting commercial leases and (b) revisions to the Government's proposals. [130009]
§ Dawn PrimaroloWe expect to publish shortly.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to align the residential and non-residential property upper thresholds for the zero rate stamp duty band. [130556]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Chancellor's decision to increase the zero rate stamp duty threshold to £150,000 for non-residential property has been welcomed by business representatives as a boost for small businesses investing in commercial property and will come into effect from 1 December 2003. The level of the thresholds is kept under regular review.
As part of the Government's plans to regenerate the most deprived parts of the UK, in 1,997 Enterprise Areas the purchase of residential property costing up to £150,000 is already exempt from stamp duty.