CENTENARY OF THE FINANCE ACT 1910

That this House notes with approval the centenary of the Finance Act 1910 which first enabled the transfer of property of cultural importance to the nation in lieu of death duties; and further notes that the legislation has proved pivotal to the National Trust, particularly since 1946 when the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Hugh Dalton MP, established the Land Fund, forerunner of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, which over the past 64 years has resulted in the transfer to the National Trust of land and country houses plus works of art.