§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what offers of pre-eminent objects and property for acceptance in satisfaction of capital transfer tax or estate duty have been received in respect of the value of £2 million which has been provided for during the financial year 1985–86; and if he will state the total commitment involved, and specify the individual items, together with the amount of tax to be satisfied in respect of them.
§ Mr. WaldegraveOffers in lieu of tax are put to the Government on a confidential basis, and it would be inappropriate to give the information requested. Details are released when an offer has been accepted by the Government.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether he will list the amounts initially appearing in the Supply Estimates for the five financial years from 1980–81 to 1984–85, inclusive, in respect of the tax discharge value of works of art and property accepted in satisfaction of capital transfer tax and estate duty, together with particulars of any subsequent increases in those amounts which may have taken place during any of the five financial years in question; whether he will at the same time specify the total tax discharge value of works of art and property actually accepted during each of the five years; and whether the accounting practice is to cancel the resulting surplus in the event of the estimated quota not being fulfilled in any given year.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his reply, 2 April 1985, c. 578]: The information requested is as follows. The sums involved are shared equally on the Votes of the Department of the Environment and of the Office of Arts and Libraries.