HC Deb 15 July 1937 vol 326 cc1640-1

Postponed Proceeding resumed on Consideration of Bill, as amended.

CLAUSE 17.—(Charge of national defence contribution.)

Amendments made:

In page 17, line 6, after "canal," insert "or other inland waterway, or a."

In line 7, after "dock," insert "quay."—[Lieut.-Colonel Colville.]

11.4 p.m.

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I beg to move, in page 17, line 33, at the end, to insert: (6) This Section shall not apply to the business carried on by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The object of this Amendment is to exempt the British Broadcasting Corporation from this tax. The object of the Corporation as defined by its charter is to carry on a broadcasting service. It is precluded by the terms of its charter from paying out any money by way of profits, and the charges which it can make to consumers are effectually limited. In the event of its requiring further funds for the purpose of its work, its only course is to apply to the State for them.

Mr. Alexander

May I ask whether the British Broadcasting Corporation are exempt in the same way from Income Tax?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

No, Sir.

Mr. Alexander

Then I understand that they are charged Income Tax on profits which if not distributed are assumed to be made. The only comment I would make is that this is yet another instance of a concession made under this second edition of National Defence Contribution which is totally incompatible with the treatment which is being meted out to the industrial and provident societies.

Amendment agreed to.