11-06-03

Barrett secures debate on impact of Stamp Duty in Edinburgh

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, was today informed by the Speaker of the House of Commons that his request for a debate on the impact of stamp duty in Edinburgh had been agreed to.

Mr Barrett applied for the debate following worries expressed by City property solicitors about the low £60,000 threshold for paying stamp duty and the impact which it is having on those purchasing property, particularly first time buyers.

The half hour debate entitled "Impact of Stamp Duty in Edinburgh" will take place on Tuesday 17th June at 4pm.  Under the rules of the House of Commons, a Government Minister must attend to respond to Mr Barrett's comments.  It is expected a Treasury Minister will respond.

Commenting, John Barrett said:

"I am delighted to have secured this important debate for next week.  It will give me an excellent chance to represent the concerns of people in my own constituency and throughout Edinburgh about the negative impact which stamp duty is making.

"Some of the law relating to stamp duty is over 10 years old and desperately needs updating.  Hopefully, the debate will allow the Treasury to say how it plans to make the duty both simpler and fairer."

ENDS