HC Deb 31 May 1881 vol 261 cc1778-9
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the case of Arthur Page Bettingham, who, on May 21st, was fined twenty-five pounds and costs at the Solehill Police Court, for illegally betting, the evidence showing that the defendant shouted "three to one on the field," and took a shilling on Rochester and a shilling on Merryfield; and, whether the police have instructions to carry out the Law in a similar manner against any Members of this or of the other House of Parliament who may be found laying or taking the odds at the forthcoming Epsom Races?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, my hon. Friend has rather misconceived the facts of this conviction. He seems to have assumed that the conviction in this case was for making bets. That was not so. The law on that matter was altered in 1845, when the old betting Acts were repealed. The law is now directed against persons who keep places for betting. In this case the conviction was for keeping a betting stand. He was proceeded against because he was the keeper of a stand for betting on the racecourse. My hon. Friend asks me whether I will cause similar proceeding's to be instituted against Members of this or the other House of Parliament in case of such offences being committed by them. If my hon. Friend is able to assure me from personal observation to-morrow that any Member of this House has kept betting stands on the racecourse at Epsom, after looking at the law on the subject, I will, on receiving information of that character, consider what steps ought to be taken. I find that the use of a large umbrella constitutes a "place."

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked, whether it was any offence to bet with the men who kept these stands?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

That is a question of law upon which I should not like to commit myself offhand. All I can do is to refer my hon. Friend to the Act of 1845, repealing the Act of 18 Geo. II., which did inflict a penalty on betting of £10 or £20. I should not like to commit myself further than this. The Acts of 1853 and 1874 are directed against persons who keep places for betting.