§ 58. Mr. CLARRYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any appreciable decline in the receipts from the Betting Duty on account of the reduction in the amount of credit booking transacted?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn the absence of all previous experience, it was impossible to forecast what variations in the receipts of the Betting Duty were likely to occur at different seasons of the year. The revenue from credit betting is how smaller than it was; in the early weeks of the duty when flat racing was still taking place.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the bookmakers throughout the country say their businesses are affected by at least 50 per cent. by the Betting Duty?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have seen a number of statements, but I think it is altogether too early to form any view of the effect of the tax.
§ 60. Mr. J. HUDSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage cost of collecting the Betting Duty; whether the tax has involved the employment of additional staff; and if any officials are wholly employed in connection with this tax?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo close estimate of the cost of collecting the Betting Duty can be made until there has been some experience of the requirements of the duty during the flat-racing season. But the experience that has been obtained during the short period the Betting Duty has been in operation does not suggest that the estimate of the annual cost of collecting the duty, namely, £150,000 furnished to the Select Committee in 1923 will not prove to be substantially correct. Comparing this with the estimated yield of the duty for a full year of £6,000,000. the percentage cost works out at 21, per cent. The numbers and pay of the only special staff recruited for the purposes of the duty were given in reply to the hon. Member for Oxford City on 16th November last. In addition to this staff of 17 officers, about 100 officers are employed at headquarters and elsewhere exclusively in connection with the Betting Duty. For the rest the work is performed by the general Customs and Excise staff throughout the country in con junction with their other duties.
Viscountess ASTORThe next time the right hon. Gentleman brings in a tax like this will he take the advice of some of us who know?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am sorry to hear the Noble Lady's confession.
63. Mr. SANDEMANIasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated annual cost of collecting the Betting Duty?
§ Mr. McNEILLI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right 1586 hon. Friend earlier this afternoon to the hon. Member for Huddersfield.