§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the annual revenue proceeds of a value-added tax of 10 per cent. imposed on British rail fares, London Transport fares and national bus company fares, and paid to the Exchequer;
(2) what would be the annual revenue proceeds of a value-added tax of 10 per cent. imposed on rents of private furnished and unfurnished tenancies, to be paid to the Exchequer;
(3) what would be the annual revenue proceedings of a value-added tax of 10 per cent. imposed on council house rents in the United Kingdom, to be paid to the Exchequer;
(4) what would be the annual revenue proceeds of a value-added tax of 10 per cent. imposed on admission charges to association football matches, other sporting events, theatres, cinemas, and other places of entertainment, respectively;
(5) what would be the annual revenue proceeds of a value-added tax of 10 per cent. imposed on horserace betting, greyhound race betting and gambling in authorised premises, respectively.
§ Mr. HigginsI am anxious to help the hon. Member, but without full details of the overall structure and coverage of such a tax it is not possible—even on a246W hypothetical basis—to make meaningful estimates in respect of particular sectors in isolation. Following are broad estimates of consumers' expenditure for the sectors cited:
Approximate expenditure (1969) £m British Rail, London Transport and National Bus Company 400 Rent: Private 350 Council 550 Admission charges to football matches, etc. 200 Betting and gaming 300