§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a "Grand Bazaar and Drawing of Prizes" to be held in the Town Hall, Dundalk, on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of May, 1888, "under the patronage of his Grace the Primate and the Priests," in which the first prize, out of some hundreds, is a "Purse containing £100, gift of the late Primate, Most Rev. Dr. McGettigan;" whether his attention has also been called to a similar lottery to be held in the Leinster Hall, Dublin, on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of June, in which the "First Prize is a gold medal, set in diamonds, the gift of His Highness Pope Leo XIII," and the second prize is "An oil painting of Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., and two vols. of his works, with autograph letter, presented by himself;" whether he is aware that a similar lottery was announced to take place in Dublin on the 14th and 15th of December, 1886, at which, as a premium for selling 40 tickets value £1, special "All Prize" tickets were sent out, and no value for such tickets could be obtained by the vendor; and, if he will take steps to stop such illegal practices henceforth?
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)Before this Question is answered, I want to ask you, Mr. Speaker, why it is that, with reference to the Question down to- 1628 day, and that on the two last occasions upon this subject, a different practice obtains? For instance, in this Question there is "an oil painting"—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! There is no difference in the practice, nor is any distinction made between Questions from one side of the House or the other. The hon. and learned Gentleman is not warranted in stating that.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThen I will put it in this way, Sir. Why is it that Members' names are printed in the Question now before the House; whereas as regards the generality of Questions the Divisions which Members represent are given?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: With regard to the Question on the Paper, as my hon. Friend is aware, several Questions have been put in the House from time to time on the subject of lotteries. The Government would be loth to interfere with any charitable movement; but they would point out the great danger of introducing any element which would tend to create gambling, a result which, no doubt, would be furthest from the intentions of the promoters. My attention has been called to the advertisements in the cases referred to; but I cannot say whether the prizes have been the gifts of the persons named. As regards the case referred to in the third paragraph. I have no official information.