In early August, reports emerged that the government was considering suspending stamp duty by the autumn in an effort to combat the market downturn. The idea was met with a mixed response, HBF’s executive chairman Stewart Baseley favouring the measure that he had been pushing for several months: “It is a welcome initiative and shows that ministers appreciate the problems the current housing market situation is causing people looking to buy and sell properties, and the impact it is having on the wider economy.” But Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), commented that the lack of government clarification on the rumour had harmed the level of housing transactions, with potential buyers holding back until the news was confirmed. <br><br>The NAEA conducted a survey amongst its members on the speculation, revealing that 26% of respondents had lost a sale “as a direct result of Alistair Darling’s dithering.” Baseley had also warned that the rumoured move must form part of a comprehensive package to encourage liquidity back into the mortgage market. HBF’s director of economic affairs John Stewart confirmed that the government was considering a housing package, of which the stamp duty holiday measure could …