§ MR. S. SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, although by virtue of the 37 Vic. c. 15, the sending of a telegram with the view of obtaining information or advice with respect to any event or contingency of, or relating to, any horse race, or other race, for the purpose of any bet or wager, is an offence punishable by imprisonment with hard labour for any term not exceeding two calendar months, many such telegrams, the illegal character of which is apparent on the face of them, are daily sent through the Post Office; and whether he will give directions that such illegal telegrams should be stopped?
§ *MR. RAIKESThe Act 37 Vic. c. 15, does not make punishable the sending of a telegram with a view' of obtaining information or advice with respect to a horse race for the purpose of a bet or wager. What it makes punishable is a 320 telegram published with intent to induce any person to apply to a person or to a house or place with a view of obtaining information or advice for the purpose of a bet or wager, or with respect to a horse race or similar contingency. The illegality consists practically in the invitation to bet, or to apply for information with a view to betting, not in the seeking of information or in the betting itself. I am referring, of course, to Section 3 of the 37th Vic. c. 15.