§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total amounts of gaming machine licence duty at the levels established since 1969 paid, during the first full year and the latest full year for which figures are available, in respect of first machines installed in clubs and similar places, additional machines in such places, first machines installed in 177W amusement arcades or similar establishments and additional machines installed in such establishments, respectively.
September, 1970–August, 1971 September, 1971–March, 1972 £ £ Machines in clubs and similar places Receipts from licences covering only one machine at higher rate, one machine at lower rate or one machine in each category 1,371,743 1,261,025 Receipts from all other licences 3,594,400 3,502,618 Machines in amusement arcades, public houses and similar places Receipts from licences covering only one machine at higher rate, one machine at lower rate or one machine in each category. 1,567,853 1,461,709 Receipts from all other licences 477,712 341,884 Note: These figures exclude receipts from holiday season licences.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what checks Customs and Excise carry out, and with what frequency, to ensure that those liable for gaming machine licence duty are paying the duties for which they are liable.
§ Mr. HigginsIt is not the practice to make public the details or incidence of checks and controls carried out by the Customs and Excise.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he wil linstruct Customs and Excise to collect gaming machine licence duty through either post offices or local authorities in a similar manner to that in which car, broadcasting, or dog licences are collected; and what would be the saving if collection of gaming mahine licence duty were carried out in this fashion.
§ Mr. HigginsNo. The present methods of collection are more economical.
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 (to March) "Jackpot" machines* … … 34,832 32,870 32,295 "Amusement with prizes" machines* … … 78,796 77,355 72,777 Machines under holiday season licences … … 54,999 54,563 Total … … 168,627 164,788 * These estimates assume that all machines licensed in the first half of each licensing year have also been licensed in the second half of that year.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost of collecting gaming machine licence duty during each of the years since the present duty was imposed.
§ Mr. HigginsNo separate figure is available for the cost of collecting this duty.
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§ Mr. HigginsThe available information is as follows:
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Her Majesty's Customs and Excise keeps a register of those firms or organisations liable to pay gaming machine licence duty; how many such firms or organisations were listed during the first full financial year after the introduction of the present gaming machine licence duty; and how many there are now.
§ Mr. HigginsHer Majesty's Customs and Excise do not keep a central register of this kind.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total number of gaming machines in respect of which gaming machine licence duty was paid during each of the years since the present duty was imposed.
§ Mr. HigginsThe estimated total number of machines licensed in each licence year was:
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many part-time and how many full-time civil servants are now required to administer the gaming machine licence duty; and how many were required during the first full year during which the duty was levied.
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§ Mr. HigginsNo separate staff figures are available, as the work is combined with other duties.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much purchase tax was received from the sale of machines on which gaming machine licence duty was payable during the first full year and the last full year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. HigginsThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much corporation tax was paid by companies substantially engaged in the supply of or operations of machines for which gaming licence duty was payable in the first full year and the last full year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. HigginsThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Gorstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the factors or considerations which have influenced him against exempting spare gaming machines, not available for play, from gaming machine licence duty.
§ Mr. HigginsThe need to protect the revenue.