To Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer: I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to you on behalf of myself, my firm and the whole of the legal profession in the way you have overhauled the stamp duty system. Not a single day goes by without my thinking about how wonderfully everything now operates. There is no way that I would like to go back to the 'bad old days'.


It takes me less than 10 seconds when I telephone the helpline to get through to the most courteous, helpful and knowledgeable member of the Inland Revenue stamp office. Without exception, my queries are handled promptly and professionally, which only goes to show the amount of money you have invested in training, technology and equipment.



That investment in technology and equipment is evidenced by the fact that your computers are able to scan SDLT1 forms so successfully that you do not have to waste my time in writing to me requesting information I have already supplied.



I am so pleased that your government is going to be introducing other useful timesaving innovations such as housesellers' packs.



As a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party, I believe that you are fully deserving of the recognition of my profession.



Tomorrow I am returning to my home on Planet Zob, which is in the constellation of Cloud Cuckoo Land.



Howard Gruber, Gruber Garratt, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire