§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that certificates have been issued to bookmakers carrying on an illegal business, he will introduce legislation to make street betting legal?
§ Captain HACKINGI have been asked to reply to this question. Section 15 of the Finance Act, 1926, expressly provides that nothing in that Act should legalise any unlawful betting, and the Act empowers the Courts to withdraw the certificates of bookmakers convicted of offences in connection with betting. It is not proposed to introduce legislation to make "street betting" lawful.
§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware 2944W that bookmakers holding certificates have been fined and their certificates forfeited; and whether in such cases he is prepared to refund the amount paid by the bookmaker for his certificate?
§ Mr. R. McNEILLI am aware that in addition to imposing fines the Courts in some cases have exercised the power conferred upon them by Section 17 (3) of the Finance Act, 1926, and have disqualified the bookmakers concerned for holding a bookmaker's certificate for certain periods. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Colonel DAYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total yield derived by the Treasury front betting taxation for the month of November?
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLThe approximate total amount of revenue from the betting taxation for the month of November was £327,000, to which the duty on certificates contributed 171,000 and the betting duty £156.000.
§ Colonel DAYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of proceedings instituted against bookmakers, to the last convenient date, for attempting to avoid or refusing to pay the Betting Duty?
§ Mr. McNEILLUp to the 4th December inclusive, there were 15 cases of prosecution for failure to pay the Betting Duty, and proceedings had been instituted but not yet heard in six further cases. In eight of the former cases and in all the latter cases concurrent proceedings were instituted for carrying on business as a bookmaker without having in force a proper certificate.
§ Brigadier-General CHARTERISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the Government's intentions in regard to the Betting Overseas (Prohibition) Bill?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Government have every intention of passing this Bill into law next Session, and it will be re-introduced as soon as possible after the House re-assembles.