Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 June 1947.
Mr Edward Evans
, Lowestoft
12:00,
17 June 1947
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what amount of dollars is involved in payment to United States writers of songs and dance music by way of royalties and performing rights; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce these payments and so conserve our dollar resources.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
About £150,000 a year for royalties and performing rights of music of all sorts. I do not propose to interfere in this particular matter.
Mr Edward Evans
, Lowestoft
Is the Chancellor aware that this liability is unnecessarily increased by the plugging of music for which dance band leaders are paid?
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
We must not be too censorious about how people like to take their enjoyment. If people like this kind of thing, this is the kind of thing they like.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.
