HC Deb 19 April 1928 vol 216 cc345-6
25. Mr. COMPTON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the action of a booking agent, who has purchased several thousand tickets from the Football Association for the final of the football cup, in charging 2s. extra on all tickets under and up to 10s. in value and 4s. on tickets over that value; and whether any Entertainments Duty is paid on the extra price charged for the tickets?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am not aware of the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, but in general fees charged by outside booking agents for the convenience of booking are not regarded as payments for admission to an entertainment.

Mr. DENNISON

Has the attention of the Financial Secretary been drawn to the fact that a firm describing itself as the Star Printers, of Charlotte Street, London, is selling 2s. tickets for 10s. each, and other tickets in the same proportion? Can he take any action in this matter?

Mr. SAMUEL

If the hon. Member will send me particulars I will make it my business to look into it.

Mr. COMPTON

Are we to understand that the Department does not charge Entertainments Duty on these excess profits?

Mr. SAMUEL

No, Sir. If the hon. Member will look at leaflet No. 17258 he will see the whole case defined there.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Would it not be a good thing, in cases of gross profiteering such as this, to make the Football Association responsible for the collection of the extra duty and thus compel them to keep better control over the tickets?