§ 82. Mr. Swinglerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total annual national revenue from all forms of taxation is represented by the revenue from entertainments tax on cinemas; and what proportion of the cinemas' annual gross box-office receipts is taken by this tax.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftAbout one-half of 1 per cent. and 29 per cent. respectively.
§ 81. Mr. Swinglerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, although theatregoers attending performances of the Bolshoi Ballet on its recent visit to this country paid no entertainments tax, cinemagoers in London, where a film of the identical performances is being shown, have to pay entertainments tax; and if, to avoid such anomalies, he will now abolish the cinema tax.
42W
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes, but this is not an anomaly and I cannot anticipate my Budget.