§ Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the offer of land at Branscombe, Devon, to the nation in lieu of Estate Duty.
§ Mr. MacDermotI am glad to say that a little over 300 acres of land at Branscombe has been offered by the 153W executors of the late Mr. Clement Ford in settlement of Estate Duty. This is mainly agricultural land and woodland, and includes about a mile of beach and part of the cliffs at Branscombe. The offer has been accepted and the land transferred to the National Trust. The cost to the Land Fund was £28,800. The 154W land is in an area which has been designated under the National Parks Act as one of outstanding natural beauty. My right hon. Friend will continue to use the National Land Fund whenever he can to acquire unspoiled stretches of the coastline and countryside for the enjoyment of the public.