§ 47. Colonel APPLINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of turf commission agents in the London area and in England, respectively; and the estimated revenue to be derived from each category when the Betting Tax comes into force?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy hon. and gallant Friend will find a rough estimate of the number of credit bookmakers in London in Appendix III A to the Report from 200 the Select Committee on Betting Duty which sat in 1923. There is no official information as to the number of bookmakers in England, but the question of the total number of bookmakers in the country is discussed in paragraph 24 of the Draft Report of the Chairman of the Select Committee. No attempt has been made to allocate geographically the estimated yield of the Betting Duty.
§ Mr. THURTLEWould the right hon. Gentleman say how many commission agents there are on the Stock Exchange?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI really do not see how I could be expected to know that.
§ Mr. AMMONWill it be possible under the new arrangements for anybody to take out a licence as a turf commission agent?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think I should like to have notice of that question.
§ Colonel DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether their licences will be suspended if they default?