HC Deb 23 August 1883 vol 283 cc1761-2
MR. HOPWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the police in the Metropolis have been threatening licensed victuallers with opposition to their licences at the annual meeting, unless they at once give up the receipt of general, sporting, Parliamentary, and Stock Exchange news by the Automatic News-transmitting Instrument (such as is in use in Clubs), and for which a considerable annual payment is made; whether, in one of the instances referred to, the police went through the premises, taking down the names and addresses of persons found there; whether he will state by whoso authority these proceedings take place; and, whether he will sanction their continuance?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

, in reply, said, he had a Report from the police on this subject. It was the duty of the police to put down betting houses; and in consequence of reports from Superintendents of the various divisions and complaints of inhabitants that a number of licensed victuallers were violating the letter and spirit of the law, the Commissioners directed that licence-holders should be cautioned that if facilities for betting were given by means of these instruments, steps would be taken by summary proceedings before the magistrates, or by opposing the renewal of the licences, as circumstances might warrant. That seemed to him to be a very proper proceeding.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

asked if what the right hon. and learned Gentleman meant was that public-houses were not to be forbidden having telegraphic communication, provided it was not converted into machinery for betting.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Yes, Sir. If public-houses wish for telegraphic communication, to report, for instance, the proceedings of this House, they will not be interfered with. But the telegraphic instruments must not be made the means of betting.

MR. HOPWOOD

If they do not give up the use of these instruments, will they be opposed at the next Sessions?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

No, Sir; only if they are used as a means of betting?