§ 29. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that ever since the inception of the 10 per cent. Pool Betting Duty on totalisators at greyhound racing tracks successive Chancellors have agreed that this duty is unfair, discriminatory, and penal; and whether he will take the necessary action in his forthcoming Budget to remove this tax.
§ Mr. PowellI cannot trace the alleged statements nor can I anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.
§ Mr. LewisWill the Financial Secretary take it from me that statements have been made in the presence of hon. Members from both sides of the House? Is he further aware that if he or the Chancellor of the Exchequer has a bet on a totalisator at a racecourse, he will pay no tax whatever, whereas if one of my underpaid hospital workers puts a bet on exactly the same kind of totalisator at a greyhound track, he immediately loses 10 per cent. in tax? Why should the poor and not the rich be taxed on their bets?
§ Mr. PowellThe answer to the first part of that question is "not without evidence". The second part of the question appeared to be loaded.