§ 22. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the number of officially licensed bookmakers in the United Kingdom, and the amount of Income Tax paid by them in the financial years 1954–55 and 1955–56, respectively.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThere is no official licensing of bookmakers in the United Kingdom. Figures for the amount of Income Tax paid by bookmakers generally are not available.
§ Mr. JohnsonCan the Chancellor confirm that, apart from official bookmakers, any individual can go to any horse racing or dog racing course with his satchel and set up an easel? Can the right hon. Gentleman do something about taxing the gains of such people, and incidentally protecting honest bookmakers?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftWe are again getting on to rather dangerous ground.