HC Deb 24 February 1948 vol 447 cc1764-5
50. Mr. W. D. Griffiths

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Manchester United Football Club Limited have announced their intention to increase admission charges on the ground side, on the occasion of their F.A. Cup tie on 28th February, from 1s. 3d. to 2s.; and in view of his predecessor's declared intention in April, 1946, that the remission should be passed on to spectators, if he will reimpose the tax on those clubs which have not complied with that intention.

52. Mr. Delargy

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Manchester United Football Club has increased the price of admission for the match of 28th February; and, if in his coming Budget he will consider reimposing the full rate of Entertainments Duty on those clubs who have not complied with his request that the benefit of the entertainment tax remission should be passed to the spectators.

Sir S. Cripps

The answer to the first part of each Question is "Yes," and to the second that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the Chancellor aware that, while all Mancunians hope that Manchester United will win the F.A. Cup, nevertheless there is considerable resentment in some quarters about these increased charges? Will he say whether he considers this charge an evasion of his predecessor's declared intentions in April, 1946?

Sir S. Cripps

I cannot say whether in a particular case, for a particular match, the charge should be larger, or smaller.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is the Chancellor aware that I wrote to him about this matter over a week ago, and have had no reply, and that by taking no action he is making a laughing stock of the exhortations of the Prime Minister that prices should be cut.

Sir S. Cripps

No, I am not aware of that at all, and there is no reason why for a particular match a particular price should not be charged. No doubt the Manchester authorities think that their football matches are worth this money.