HL Deb 20 October 1975 vol 364 cc1234-6WA
Lord BEAUMONT of WHITLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Statement on taxation of prostitutes' earnings made by a Minister (House of Lords Official Report Vol. 363, col. 1300) is a correct account of present practice and, if not, whether they will make a further Statement on this matter.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

I regret that the Statement referred to was not correct. The position is as follows. The Inland Revenue take the view that prostitution, if sufficiently organised, amounts to a trade and that, accordingly, any profits arising from such activities are assessable to tax. It is not possible to estimate the loss of income tax to the Exchequer consequent upon the imprisonment of prostitutes.

House adjourned at eight minutes past seven o'clock.