§ 49. Sir CHARLES OMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the registered imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year 1926 of American films, including both positives, pictures ready for exhibition, and negatives, photographs from which positives can be printed; what was the declared value of them; and what profit came from their import to the Exchequer?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe registered imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland, during the year 1926 of positive and negative cinematograph films consigned from the United States of America amounted to 13,610,164 linear feet of a declared value of £813,879. No information is available as to the amount of Customs duty which has been paid in respect of such of these films as have been delivered for home use.
§ 51. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that £600,000 could be obtained by levying Income Tax on the amounts paid to film producers abroad, he will consider the advisability of imposing this tax?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the final sentence of the reply which I gave him on the 24th February. To this I have at present nothing to add.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYWould the right hon. Gentleman not consider the advisability of taxing this, as over £3,000,000 is paid to America alone; and, in view of the burden which falls upon us in the payment of debt to America, has he not considered this as a legitimate subject of taxation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot anticipate the Budget statement, but I will consider this and all other matters.