HC Deb 24 February 1959 vol 600 cc928-9
20. Mr. Rankin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he sent to the invitation to meet Sir Alec Guinness and certain other film stars last Wednesday to hear representations about the entertainments tax.

Mr. Amory

I received a notice of the meeting and it was acknowledged.

Mr. Rankin

Would not the Chancellor agree that on this occasion a little Guinness would have done him good? Would he now agree to return the compliment and say that he will be good for Guinness and the British public by saying that he will abolish the cinema tax?

Mr. Amory

I receive few invitations to meet film stars and normally this invitation would have been something I should have welcomed. But it contained these words: You yourself no doubt will be unable to be present. In those circumstances, I left it to the representatives of the trade to make representations to hon. Members who, no doubt, will make representations to me.