HC Deb 05 July 1949 vol 466 cc1961-2
52. Mr. Granville Sharp

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a detailed statement of the reasons for his decision not to impose a tax on the turnover of the racecourse totalisator.

Sir S. Cripps

Pool Betting Duty is not levied on horse race totalisators because they are set up by the Racecourse Betting Control Board which, unlike the authorities in control of greyhound totalisators, is a non-profit-making body and contributes its surplus revenue to the benefit of horse racing generally. Future policy must await the Royal Commission's recommendations on betting and gambling generally.

Mr. Sharp

How can my right hon. and learned Friend justify that reply in view of the fact that only about £60,000 was spent last year in improvements?

Sir S. Cripps

I did not state how much was spent. All I said was that the surplus revenue was spent for that purpose. The reason why it was only £60,000 is because that was the surplus.

Mr. Sharp

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that last year out of the stakes of £26 million, nearly £24 million went back to those who invested their money? How is that justified in our present state of affairs?

Sir S. Cripps

That raises the general question of betting.