§ 27. Mr. Boardmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total Entertainments Duty paid by the spectators at the 1956 Football Association Cup Final, at which there were 97,000 spectators, the 1956 Rugby League Cup Final, at which there were 78,000 spectators, and the England v. Scotland Rugby Union match at Twickenham on 16th March last, at which there were 70,000 spectators.
§ Mr. PowellIt is contrary to established practice to disclose the taxation affairs of individual promoters of entertainments. I can say, however, that the Rugby football match qualified for exemption from Entertainments Duty.
§ Mr. BoardmanIs the hon. Gentleman aware that whilst the Football Association Cup Final collected £ 15,000 and the Rugby League Cup Final collected £ 8,500, the match at Twickenham collected nothing? Will the Minister try to 1329 help British sport by getting rid of this millstone which is around the necks of the clubs?
§ Mr. PowellThis is obviously one of the factors which my right hon. Friend is taking into account in his review of Entertainments Duty.
Mr. H. WilsonSince the hon. Gentleman told us last week what we already knew, that the yield is only £ 2 million, will he bear in mind the strong views held in all quarters of the House that this duty has long out-lived its usefulness and that the party to which I belong is committed to its removal at the earliest opportunity?