THE Government came under 11th hour pressure yesterday to extend the

homebuyers' holiday from stamp duty.

A new survey showed a large majority of MPs wanted to see the

eight-month suspension of the tax on house purchases -- due to end today

-- turned into permanent abolition.

But the Treasury insisted that the suspension, announced by Chancellor

Norman Lamont last December in an effort to kick-start the housing

market, was always meant to be a temporary measure.

Mr Lamont exempted buyers of homes worth up to #250,000 from the tax,

which was paid at 1% of the value of the property.

Housing experts are divided on the effectiveness of the suspension,

but the Access Opinion survey of a representative sample of 100 MPs

shows 65% of Tories and 67% of Labour MPs favour abolition.

Just 12% want the tax reimposed and 15% would like to see its

reintroduction delayed until the housing market picks up.

A Treasury spokesman said: ''We never expected a dramatic effect, but

with 90% of households exempted during the moratorium, it is probable

that 500,000 will have benefited.''