Clause 11. — (General Betting Duty)

Part of Orders of the Day — Finance Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 June 1966.

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Photo of Mr William Rees-Davies Mr William Rees-Davies , Isle of Thanet 12:00, 16 June 1966

My point, Sir Eric, is that, before the Chancellor can consider any alternative form which may be attractive to him, it is a condition precedent that he must accept these Amendments because it is not until he has exempted on-the-course betting from the tax as now drawn that he can consider an alternative. I have done no more than pave the way for his consideration of alternatives. These two Amendments are totally separate from anything else. I am concerned at present only to ensure that on-the-course betting is taken out altogether.

If he does that, the Chancellor will find that he will have in his hands a method by which he will avoid all the problems of evasion. He will have something simple. He will not have any of the paraphernalia and difficulties which are so unattractive to the public. Quite definitely, the public will find his present proposal most unattractive, and it will lead to considerable trouble and rows.

I conclude with a quotation from Dr. Johnson. This is A hateful tax levied upon commodities and adjudged by wretches hired by those to whom Excise is paid ". I hope that we may be able, in the corporate wisdom of the Committee, to make this and other improvements in the betting tax before it goes elsewhere.