§ 16. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if. having regard to current inflation, he will seek to raise the starting point for Estate Duty from £5,000 to £10,000 and undertake a review of the lower rates of duty.
§ Mr. DiamondI have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ 27. Mr. John Leeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of real property that has been acquired up to the latest convenient date by the Crown in lieu of Estate Duty payments; what is the total area of land so acquired; and what were the corresponding figures for 1950, 1964 and 1966.
§ Mr. TaverneThe total value of real property accepted by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in lieu of Estate Duty was £314,106, £2,028,754, £2,187,137 and £2,356,337 up to 31st March, 1950, 1964, 1966 and 1968 respectively. The property accepted in this way during these periods included buildings, together with 43,624 acres, 173,730 acres, 176,446 acres and 191,693 acres respectively. Out of the total acreage accepted of 191,693, 77,219 has been retained by the Crown for normal departmental purposes; the remaining 114,474 acres have been transferred to the National Trust and similar bodies for the use and enjoyment of the public.