§ Sir L. Ropnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cinemas were closed in 1956 and in the first two months 68W of 1957: and if he will state the amount of revenue from entertainments tax he has lost through the closing of these cinemas.
§ Mr. PowellAllowing for cinemas which have reopened, 198 cinemas were closed in 1956, and 27 in the first two months of 1957 the latter figure is provisional. As to the second part of the Question, I regret that the information is not available because, apart from other considerations, it is not known how far the former patrons of the closed cinemas now attend other cinemas.
§ Sir L. Ropnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of each£1 taken at the cinema box office in 1939 was paid in entertainments tax; and If he will give a comparable figure for 1956.
§ Mr. PowellThe figures are 2s. 8½d. in 1939 and 6s. 6½d. in 1956.