AUDIT STAMP DUTY.

HC Deb 05 April 1922 vol 152 cc2262-3W

Mr. D. DAVIES

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the desirability of substituting yearly for half-yearly audits of Poor Law union accounts?

Sir A. MOND

I have introduced a Bill for this purpose.

Mr. DAVIES

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider whether some modification can be made in the scale of audit stamp duties prescribed by the Audit Stamp Duty (Local Authorities) Order, 1921?

Sir A. MOND

The new scale of Audit Stamp Duty was fixed by the Treasury in accordance with the requirements of Section 61 (1) of the Finance Act, 1921, that the duties levied shall be sufficient to cover the whole costs of district auditors. I have introduced a Bill to substitute yearly for half-yearly audits where these are at present required and if this pro- posal is accepted by Parliament, it will have the effect of reducing the Stamp Duty payable in these cases.