§ 62. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the decrease which has been taking place in the number of legitimate theatres throughout the country during recent years and the increase in the number of cinemas, he can provide any figures to show to what 806 extent receipts from Entertainments Duty levied on these theatres have decreased during this period and to what extent they have increased in respect of cinematograph entertainments; and whether he will consider the desirability of adjusting the Entertainments Duty so as to enable the living theatre to compete with these new circumstances?
§ Mr. COOPERWith regard to the first part of the question, I regret that separate particulars of the receipts of Entertainments Duty from different classes of entertainments are not available, because in the case of duty paid by the purchase of stamps or stamped tickets there is no information as to the class of entertainment for which the stamps or tickets may be used; with regard to the second part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend will not expect me to anticipate the Budget statement.