I read Edward Nally's piece on the stamp duty land tax with interest (see [2005] Gazette, 19 May, 17). I fancy rather more direct action may bear fruit.


I am currently involved with a transaction that has now had three sets of queries from the Inland Revenue, all of which have been answered previously. I telephoned the helpline repeatedly only to be cut off because all operators were busy. I then found the direct line telephone number for the stamp office responsible for posing the questions. The telephone rang just once, the writer of the queries answered personally, the outstanding points were cleared and confirmation was provided that validation could be given for the issue of a certificate. Readers may find the appropriate telephone numbers at: www.legalhelpers.co.uk/landlord/stampduty.asp.


One can only wonder what effect the abandonment of the enquiry line will have.


Gerald Duke, Dorchester