§ 38. Mr. MACLEANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the new revenue law passed at the Congress sessions in the United States by which the entertainment tax has been abolished on all admission charges up to and including three dollars; whether he is aware that the effect is to abolish the entertainment tax in all cinemas and 2447 picture houses in America; and whether, in view of the fact that British exhibitors have to take a quota of British films, he will now place the British film industry on an equal footing with the American by abolishing the Entertainments Duty, at least on similar admission charges?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second and third parts in the negative.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre we to understand that this country is paying off a War debt to America and that the War debt that we are paying off is being used by the Americans to meet this tax and that they are sending films over to this country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think it is much too hot to answer questions like that without notice.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINIs it not the case that the United States is a country which does not believe in Socialism and is not that the reason why that country is richer than this country?
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not because they believe in repudiating their debts that they are so prosperous?