HC Deb 03 February 1981 vol 998 cc79-80W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the existing £15,000 starting figure for the payment of stamp duty on house purchase would need to be increased to keep it in line with (a) the movement in the retail price index and (b) the increase in house prices since 1 May 1974.

Mr. Peter Rees

The starting figure for the payment of stamp duty on house purchase was raised from £15,000 to £20,000 by last year's Finance Bill. On the basis of the most recent figures available for the movement in the RPI and the increase in house prices, the current threshold of £20,000 would become the equivalent of £15,000 in May 1974 if it were increased respectively by about £18,000 and £13,500.