§ MR. T. HUGHESsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, having regard to the public scandal connected with betting on horse races, and to the failure of the attempts in the Jockey Club to provide an adequate remedy, the Government will be prepared to take the necessary steps with a view to le- 275 gislation on the subject at an early date?
MR. BRUCESir, in consequence of the information received at the Home Office of the great and widespread mischief arising from betting on horse races, authority was given to the Chief Commissioner of Police (Colonel Henderson) to institute proceedings against betting-houses, and the effect, on the whole, has been considerable. One effect was to bring into light some defects of the existing law. One doubtful question is now under the decision of the Courts of Law. Another effect of the operation has been that the persons convicted in this country have taken refuge in Scotland, where the Act does not apply, and formed establishments abroad, especially at Boulogne. The Lord Advocate has, so far as Scotland is concerned, we shall in course of preparation, a Bill by which, be able to check the evil. With regard to Boulogne and other foreign parts, the question is under consideration whether the present law is not sufficient to meet the case of advertising such houses. The whole subject is under consideration, and I shall be prepared, I hope, with the means of remedying the deficiencies of the existing law.