HC Deb 16 October 1995 vol 264 cc5-6W
Mr. French

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue that would be lost if principal private residences were excluded from asset valuation for the purposes of inheritance tax liability. [36440]

Mr. Jack

The full-year cost in 1996–97 of excluding principal private residences from asset valuation for the purposes of inheritance tax liability, is estimated at around £300 million. This estimate takes no account of any consequential behavioural changes.

Mr. French

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on house prices of exempting principal private residences from inheritance tax liability. [36441]

Mr. Jack

It would be inappropriate to comment on tax matters at this stage in the Budget cycle.