§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the tax gained or forgone on expenditure on the National Lottery relative to alternative forms of consumer expenditure. [3425]
§ Mr. DarlingThe rate of duty on the lottery was originally set on the basis that it was expected to be broadly revenue-neutral—that is the revenue raised would broadly offset the indirect tax loss from expenditure diverted from other goods and services. We know of no evidence as yet to suggest that the Exchequer is gaining or losing substantial revenues as a result of the Lottery.