§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that the lottery tickets for the Church Conservative Club are still being openly sold in very large quantities in various parts of England; and, what steps, if any, have been taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions or Board of Inland Revenue since his previous answer on this matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Chief Constable of Lancashire that after the Question asked in this House by the hon. Member on the 13th of March, the promoters of the lottery withdrew the advertisements and stopped the sale of tickets. Previously to that date the police had applied for summonses against the Secretary and other Members of the Club; and the Clerk to the Justices, having asked the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice, was advised that the lottery seemed to be illegal, and that the police had acted rightly. I understand that the proceedings were not carried further, because there was not enough evidence for conviction. I am informed by the Board of Inland Revenue that a licence for the sale of tobacco on the Club premises has been duly applied for. The Board, therefore, had no power to interfere further in the matter.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHinquired whether, if he furnished evidence that the tickets were still being sold in Maidstone, and that some were purchased last week, the right hon. Gentleman would see that proceedings were taken?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, he had already informed the hon. Member that proceedings had been taken; but that the evidence was not sufficient to convict. If the hon. Member supplied the necessary evidence, the Local Authorities would no doubt act.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHrepeated that the sales were taking place at Maidstone, and said he would supply the evidence of it to the Home Office.