Plays, London (Entertainments Duty)

HC Deb 31 October 1944 vol 404 cc626-7

51. Professor Savory

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plays now running in London are exempt from Entertainments Duty; on what grounds are they so exempted; what is the body and who are the members of that body empowered to judge the grounds of exemption of plays from Entertainment Duty; and by what procedure is such judgment arrived at.

Sir J. Anderson

As the answer involves a somewhat lengthy statement I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Professor Savory

Will my right hon. Friend consider extending this concession to all bona fide plays, as distinct from musical comedies, ballets and pantomimes in order to encourage the real drama?

Mr. De la Bère

There is plenty of real drama here.

Following is the answer:

The following plays now running in London have been exempted from Entertainments Duty under the statutory provision relating to entertainments provided for partly-educational purposes by a society, institution or committee not conducted or established for profit:

• "Hamlet."
• "Love for Love" (Congreve).
• "The Circle" (Somerset Maugham). "Richard III."
• "Peer Gynt."
• "Arms and the Man."
• "Scandal at Barchester" (V. Wheatley's adaptation from Trollope).
• "The Breadwinner" (Somerset Maugham).
• "The Importance of being Earnest" (Oscar Wilde).
• "Charming Leandre" (Th. de Banville).
• "The Jubilee" (Tchekov).
• "The Pariah" (Strindberg).

The responsibility for granting or refusing exemption under this provision rests upon the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, who are advised on the educational quality of plays by an Advisory Committee appointed by my predecessor. As was announced at the time, it consists of Sir Ernest Pooley, Sir Gerald Canny and Dr. T. H. W. Armstrong.