§ MR. S. SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the following remarks of Mr. Justice Manisty, as reported in the Times of March 12, on the subject of gambling—
He did not hesitate to say, from his experience as a Judge, that there was no greater evil in society, and none which caused more misery and ruin in families…. He could not see why, when petty betting houses were put down by force, Tattersall's should be spared, though the bets made there were no more valid or legal than if made in any public house;and whether the Government are prepared to give effect to the recommendation therein made?
§ MR. MATTHEWSMy attention has been called to the remarks of Mr Justice Manisty. The subject of gambling has been frequently under the consideration of the Legislature, and was finally dealt with by 16 and 17 Vic, c. 119, the Statute to which, I presume, the learned Judge alludes. The question whether the establishment at Tattersall's falls within the provisions of that Statute is one which, so far as I know, has never yet been raised, and which appears to admit of some doubt. It is open to anyone interested in the matter to raise it. The Government are not of opinion that further legislation on the subject is necessary, or that the public interests call for any special interference on their part.