HC Deb 15 March 1956 vol 550 cc57-8W
72. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange in his forthcoming Budget to have part of the present 10 per cent. pool betting duty on greyhound racetrack totalisators paid back to track managements to enable them to take such action as may be necessary to improve the tracks, prize money, breeding, etc.

Mr. H. Brooke

No. Apart from any other consideration, it would be contrary to normal Exchequer arrangements to earmark the proceeds of this tax for a specific purpose.

73. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange to meet an all-party deputation to discuss the discriminatory nature of the 10 per cent. pool betting duty on totalisators at greyhound racetracks.

Mr. H. Brooke

As my right hon. Friend has explained in a letter to the hon. Member, owing to the many calls on his time, he regrets that he is unable to receive this deputation himself and he has therefore asked my hon. Friend, the Economic Secretary to receive it on his behalf.

74. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider in his forthcoming Budget the abolition of the present 10 per cent. pool betting duty on totalisators at greyhound race-tracks or putting this type of sport on the same basis as horse-racing so far as taxation is concerned.

Mr. H. Brooke

My right hon. Friend will consider all suggestions that have been made when framing his forthcoming Budget. I cannot, however, anticipate his Budget statement.