HL Deb 16 December 1976 vol 378 cc1069-70WA
Lord MACKIE of BENSHIE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What qualifications members of the Share Valuation Division of the Estate Duty Office have for valuing pedigree Friesian herds and commercial pigs.

Baroness BIRK

Valuation on the statutory open-market basis for the purposes of Estate Duty (now Capital Transfer Tax) of farm stock and bloodstock is carried out by a small specialist team in the Share Valuation Division of the Estate Duty Office. None of the officers concerned has a professional qualification, but the team has first-hand knowledge of sales of livestock (including pedigree animals) and is also able to draw upon a considerable range of cases and experience.