Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 October 2004. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 October 2004 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his estimate is of the number of estates on which inheritance tax was paid which were valued at (a) £250,000 to £300,000, (b) 300,000 to £400,000, (c) 400,000 to £500,000, (d) £500,000 to £750,000, (e) £750,000 to £1 million, (f) £1 million to £2 million, (g) £2 million to £5 million and (h) more than £5 million in each of the last three years; what his estimate is of the total number of estates (a) paying inheritance tax and (b) not paying inheritance tax in each year from 1984-85 to 2004-05; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to table 12.3 at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/inheritance tax/table 12-3.xls for deaths in 1998-99 to 2001-02. Data for earlier years is published in table 12.4 of Inland Revenue Statistics 2000 and earlier editions, copies in Library.

Answer: Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his estimate is of the number of estates on which inheritance tax was paid which were valued at (a) £250,000 to £300,000, (b) £300,000 to £400,000, (c) £400,000 to £500,000, (d) £500,000 to £750,000, (e) £750,000 to £1 million, (f) £1 million to £2 million, (g) £2 million to £5 million and (h) more than £5 million in each of the last three years; [192136] (2) what his estimate is of the total number of estates (a) paying inheritance tax and (b) not paying inheritance tax in each year from 1984-85 to 2004-05; and if he will make a statement. [192137] Dawn Primarolo: The available information relating to estates notified for probate for deaths in 1998-99 to 2001-02 is published in Table 12.3 on the Inland Revenue website at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/ inheritance tax/table 12-3.xls These estates represent about 40 per cent. of all UK estates. Data for earlier years is published in table 12.4 of Inland Revenue Statistics 2000 and earlier editions, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.

Secondary information