§ 7. Mr. Ioan L. Evansasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce about the contribution that gambling makes to the national revenue; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. CallaghanI received a letter from the Association on this and other subjects, and replied that I would carefully consider the points made.
§ Mr. EvansDoes my right hon. Friend realise that there is a great need for national revenue to meet the road, 208 school, health and educational programmes of the Government? Does he realise that if he introduced this he would be backing a winner, and that the odds would be as good as those on a Labour victory?
§ Mr. CallaghanThis is very tempting indeed. I notice that the right hon. Gentleman opposite referred to it as being a milkable industry, but I warn my hon. Friend and anyone else against any expectations of large revenue from this type of activity.
§ 17. Mr. Fisherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increase in gambling, he will tax it more heavily.
§ 35. Mr. Shepherdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to regulate gaming establishments through the medium of a tax upon the units of play, such as roulette tables and chemin de fer tables, of between £5,000 and £10,000 per annum, and a tax of £2,000 per annum per betting shop.
§ Mr. CallaghanI cannot anticipate my Budget statement.
§ Mr. FisherDoes not the Chancellor agree that as gambling is now legalised and is, from the point of view of the State, an entirely non-productive activity—and as it is relatively very under-taxed, compared with drink and tobacco—it can contribute in larger measure to the national Budget and thus, indirectly, to the social and perhaps even the defence needs of the people?
§ Mr. CallaghanThese questions have been canvassed on many occasions. Every Chancellor has, perched on his shoulder, the ghost of Sir Winston Churchill, who last attempted to do this very thing.