§ 58. Mr. DAYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give an estimate of the financial loss to the Treasury, for the three years ended to the last convenient date, owing to default of foreign artistes and cinema stars, working in Great Britain, not paying Income Tax on the amounts to which they were assessable; and whether he will consider taking steps to prevent the escape of the collection of similar amounts in the future?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)I regret that no statistics are available on which such an estimate as the hon. Member desires could be based.
§ Mr. DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting his colleagues in the Government as to the possibility of refusing permits to these artistes to appear in this country until some guarantee is given for the payment of their Income Tax?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I do not propose to adopt that course.
§ Mr. DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Dominions and the United States, alien artistes cannot leave the country until they have supplied evidence that they have paid their Income Tax.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere is no cross-channel traffic to be considered in in those cases.
§ 62. Mr. STOURTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what it would cost to concede to all serving Territorial officers their pay and allowances free of Income Tax?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) on 17th March last, of which I am sending him a copy, from which he will see that the allowances are not charged to tax and that in the case of pay a deduction is allowed in respect of uniform expenses. I am not in a position to say what is the amount of tax actually received by the Exchequer.