§ 91. Sir FRANK MEYERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount received up to 31st January in respect of bookmakers' licences, and in respect of Betting Duty on turnover?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe approximate net amount of duty received up to 31st January, 1927, in respect of bookmakers' certificates and entry certificates for betting premises was £179,500, and in respect of the duty on bets was £368,500.
§ Sir F. MEYERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a widespread opinion among the more reputable bookmakers that the tax is being evaded; and is it still the opinion of the Government, as expressed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House last summer, that no evasion on a large scale is taking place?
§ Mr. McNEILLAs to the last part of the question, I cannot say without notice and special inquiry.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLConsidering the enormous reduction in the amount received compared with the estimated amount, will the Chancellor of the Exchequer give consideration to an alteration in the tax by changing the basis on which it is at present operating, namely, turn-over?
§ Mr. McNEILLAll these considerations have been and are being taken into account. My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that the estimate for the present year is acknowledged to be a very rough guess as to the amount that would be obtained, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer the other day said we would not have certain information until we had a year's experience.
Mr. SANDEMANCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any figures about the cost of collection of this tax?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, I certainly could not do so without notice.