HC Deb 27 March 1956 vol 550 c1956
28. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will consider the possibility of changing the present 10 per cent. pool betting duty on all bets placed on the totalisator at greyhound race tracks to a 10 per cent. duty on winning bets only.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I am prepared to consider all suggestions concerning such fiscal changes, but the hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

Mr. Lewis

May I thank the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the kind way in which he has replied to that Question? Will he bear in mind the fact that, generally speaking, the ordinary working man does not so much object to taxation as to unfair taxation when he finds that the rich do not pay the tax and the poor do? Will he see to it that both rich and poor are equally treated in this respect?