HC Deb 11 February 1947 vol 433 cc189-90
54. Mr. Nally

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an undertaking that legislation imposing a football pools betting tax will not be introduced without provision being made at the same time for a special profits tax upon football pool promoters and the proprietors of football pool forecasting agencies.

Mr. Dalton

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget Statement.

Mr. Nally

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is precisely what I wanted him to do in answering this Question? Would he not agree that in view of the fact that football pool firms at the moment are making weekly profits ranging from £30—

Mr. Speaker

I am very suspicious when I hear a question addressed, "Will he not agree?" That is not asking for information; it is asking for an opinion which, of course, is out of Order on a supplementary question.

Mr. Nally

Could I phrase the question in this way? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that of the 820 or so football pool firms existing in the country, there are individual firms making, at the least, £30 a week, and some may go up to £50,000 a week profit? Does he regard that as reasonable from his point of view?

Mr. Dalton

I do not want to discuss in a supplementary what profits are reasonable and what are not.

55. Mr. Nally

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to introduce legislation strengthening the present machinery of taxation with the object of reducing the present extensive possibilities of Income Tax evasion by football pool promoters, football pool forecasting agencies, amusement arcade proprietors and bookmakers.

Mr. Dalton

Additional legislation for this purpose is not necessary.

Mr. Nally

Would my right hon. Friend care to explain precisely what means he proposes to take to check for taxation purposes the profits of the organisations I have mentioned, and if I mention to him afterwards at least 30 different ways in which taxation can be evaded by those concerned, will he consider the matter?

Mr. Dalton

It is the very last thing which it would be advisable for me to explain.