§ Sir R. Glynasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present national representation on the board of the Suez Canal Company; how this compares with 1913–14; and what is the proportion of capital investment of the different countries so represented?
§ Captain WallaceThe present national representation on the board of the Suez Canal Company is French 19, British io, Egyptian two, and Dutch one. The representation in 1913–14 was French 20, British 10, Dutch one, and German one.
In reply to the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government's holding of shares is 44.2 per cent.; I have no information as to the ownership of the remainder of the shares.
Month. At reduced rates under Sec. 1 (3) of the Finance Act, 1935. At Full Rates. Unclassified.* Monthly Totals in 1938. Monthly Totals in 1934. £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 January … … 159 620 17 796 908 February … … 99 527 15 641 774 March … … 119 547 17 683 878 April … … 93 667 19 779 823 May … … 79 524 14 617 753 June … … 78 479 13 570 691 July … … 86 554 14 654 603 August … … 92 526 17 635 882 September … … 109 667 19 795 861 †October … … 95 605 21 721 878 †November … … 88 537 14 639 842 * These figures represent the amounts collected from the sale of Entertainment Duty Stamps by the Post Office and no information is available as to the nature of the entertainment for which the stamps are required. † Figures for these months of the current year are subject to correction.
§ Mr. Denvilleasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the revenue received from Entertainments Duty for the first whole year of its operation; and what is the approximate annual revenue at the present time?
§ Captain WallaceThe amount of Entertainments Duty collected in Great Britain during the year ended 31st May, 1917, was £3,370,000. The Budget estimate for the current year is £8,200,000.