§ Colonel Sir HENRY NORRISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the year 1913 a London resident purchased a leasehold house for his own occupation for the sum of £450, such lease having an unexpired term of about ninety-seven years at a ground rent of £7 per annum; that the lessee this year (1919) purchased from the freeholder the ground rent for £150, thus converting the house from leasehold to freehold; that as a result a claim has been made for particulars to be furnished with a view to the imposition of a 10 per cent, reversion duty which, it is stated by the Inland Revenue, is payable under the provisions of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; whether the demand 888W of reversion duty made under such circumstances is wholly opposed to the declared intentions of the Government at the time the legislation referred to was passed; whether no such reversion duty would have been claimed or payable had the ground rent been sold to a person other than the lessee; whether he is satisfied that the wording of the said Act justifies, this demand of reversion duty, and, if so, whether he will instruct the Inland Revenue authorities not to enforce it, or1 whether he will introduce a Bill to amend the said Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINOn the facts stated in the question aprimâ facie claim for reversion duty would appear to arise. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with the address of the leasehold house to which he refers, I will have inquiry made into the case.