§ Mr. Viggersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of stamp duty revenue in 1981–82 for the implementation of each of the following changes (a) an increase of £5,000 in each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase (b) an increase of £10,000 in each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase (c) raising each of the four thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase by an amount which would restore them to the same real value which they held in 1974, by comparison with (i) the retail price index, and (ii) the BSA/DOE house price index (d) replacing the present system whereby stamp duty is levied at the appropriate rate on that part of the purchase price which exceeds each threshold and (e) implementing both changes (c) and (d) together.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe thresholds apply to all transfers other than those of stocks and shares. It is estimated that 189W if these changes applied to the whole fiscal year their implementation would reduce the revenue in 1981–82 from stamp duty on all such transfers–currently estimated at £420 million—by:
£ million (a) 70 (b) 120 (c)(i) 225 (ii) 190 (d) 205 (e)(i) 305 (ii) 290 The figures contain an appropriate adjustment for leases.