HC Deb 16 November 1926 vol 199 cc1711-3W
Captain BULLOCK

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to introduce the system of the totalisator on the racecourses in England; and, if not, whether he will state the objections to this system of course betting?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am aware that as the result of certain recent events the question of using the totalisator on racecourses in this country has been the subject of public discussion. I can only say that I have noted the suggestion, and as regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to paragraph 52 of the draft Report of the Chairman of the Select Committee on Betting Duty, 1923, in which the matter is considered in its various aspects.

Captain BOURNE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost involved from the date of the introduction of the Betting Duty up to the 1st November, 1926; the number of new officials appointed to administer the collection of this tax; the amount of salary, inclusive of bonus (if any), paid to each official; and the estimated annual cost of collection of the Betting Duty?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The total cost involved in initiating the Betting Duty up to the 1st November, 1926, was approximately £7,000. This sum includes the printing of supplies of Revenue tickets. The only special staff which has been appointed is one Betting Duty Inspector at an inclusive salary of £600 a year, four Senior Bettina Duty Officers at inclusive pay of £6 a week rising to £7 a week, and twelve Betting Duty Officers at inclusive pay of £4 a week rising to £5 a week. This staff is composed entirely of ex-police officials and is employed in the revenue supervision of bookmakers on racecourses. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave on the 15th June last to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy).

Mr. BRAITHWAITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the difficulties of operating the Betting Duty in its present form, whether he will con- sider the imposition of a flat-rate licence for bookmakers and a smaller betting licence for backers operating through credit accounts, and the elimination of all taxation on cash betting on the racecourse.

Mr. CHURCHILL

I had occasion to examine these proposals whilst the Betting Duty was before Parliament, but I was unable to adopt them.