Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 February 1954.
Mr Stephen Swingler
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
12:00,
18 February 1954
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer if, in order to encourage the production and exhibition of British films, he will now introduce discriminatory relief from entertainments tax when all-British programmes are shown.
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.
Mr Stephen Swingler
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Would the Financial Secretary like to make history in this respect by indicating his right hon. Friend's acceptance of the principle involved in the admirable scheme submitted by the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association to assist the production of British films and also partially to meet the claims of exhibitors for a tax reduction?
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
As the hon. Member knows, it would be most improper for me to respond to his invitation. Is he not aware that the proposal contained in his Question is not the same as that put forward by the C.E.A.?
Mr Stephen Swingler
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer how much revenue he has received from the entertainments tax on cinemas in the current financial year up to the latest date for which figures are available compared with the amount he received in the same period of 1952–53; and how the amount received compares with his estimate.
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
Entertainments Duty receipts from cinemas in the period 1st April, 1953, to 31st January, 1954, amounted to £31·57 million compared with £31·68 million in the corresponding period of 1952–53. Receipts are broadly in line with expectations.
Mr Stephen Swingler
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
In view of the Chancellor's undertaking last year to watch the effects of this duty very carefully in view of the continued fall in cinema attendances, which is undoubted, would the Financial Secretary care to say whether in his opinion a case for a reduction in this duty has been made out?
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
The hon. Gentleman must await my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.
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.
