§ 36. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount has been received during 1955 from tax paid by bookmakers at greyhound racecourses; the cost of collecting this sum; and by whom the cost was borne.
§ Mr. H. BrookeReceipts from the bookmakers' licence duty during the nine months January to September, 1955, were £1,260,794. The cost of collecting this sum from the occupiers of the greyhound racecourses cannot be closely estimated, as it forms part of the general cost to the Exchequer of administering the Customs and Excise revenue.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs it not a fact that the cost of collecting this revenue is borne entirely by the greyhound racing tracks? What justification is there for making these people act as unpaid collectors for the Exchequer?
§ Mr. BrookeThe collection of this duty follows the general procedure of Customs and Excise taxation, and I do not see why a distinction should be made between this and, for instance, Entertainments Duty.