§ 72. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that he will fulfil the undertaking given by his predecessor concerning the incidence of entertainment tax; whether, in the proposed review which has been promised regarding this tax, he will bear in mind that with regard to greyhound racing this is the only entertainment that is expected to pay a 10 per cent. tax in addition to the entertainment tax; and whether he will abolish this tax in his next Budget.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am engaged on the comprehensive review of the Entertainments Duty initiated by my predecessor, and I am taking into account all the representations made about the position of greyhound racing; but I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.
§ 73. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that for many years past his predecessors have admitted and confirmed that the present 10 per cent. tax on totalisators at greyhound race tracks is unfair and discriminatory; and, as this tax does not apply to horse racing, whether he will consider, in his forthcoming Budget, removing this tax on greyhound racing and placing this entertainment on the same basis as horse racing.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftWhile I do not altogether accept the first part of the Question I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.