Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Wedderburn of Charlton (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 10 October 2007.

Taxation: Inheritance Tax and Capital Taxation

Question: My Lords, will the Government consider publishing an official guide for those who do not have the resources to consult very highly paid—properly paid—lawyers for their advice? It would be an official document headed: ““How to avoid paying inheritance tax””.

Answer: My Lords, although my noble friend would be intellectually equipped to deal with such a document, the problem is that ordinary citizens, like the rest of us, have the greatest difficult in wrestling with these concepts. He will also be well aware that when attempts are made to offer householders ways of avoiding this tax, those attempts often do not withstand the test of subsequent legal judgment. That is why we have to be absolutely rock secure that any advice given is accurate and effective for the citizen.

Secondary information