§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Homo Department whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of telegrams which are sent through the Post Office with reference to bets and wagers; whether, in view of the enactment contained in 37 Vic. c. 15, 1874, declaring that—
Where any telegram is sent with respect to [betting], every person sending, or causing the same to be sent, shall be subject to penalties;he can take any steps for the more stringent enforcement of this Act; and whether he is also aware that the Post Office telegraph boys are run off their legs on racing days delivering these illegal messages?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am advised that 37 Vic, c. 15, 1874, does not render illegal every telegram respecting betting, but only telegrams inviting bets, and advertising the possession of special information or advice with a view to bets. With regard to telegrams that would come within the Act, I am informed by the Postmaster General that he has no reason to believe that they are numerous, and that there would be great difficulties, consistently with the transaction of telegraph business, in having such a complete examination made of all the different kinds of telegrams as would be necessary for a more stringent enforcement of the Betting Acts. The force of telegraph boys employed on racing days is always sufficient to prevent their being overworked.
§ MR. HOWELL) (Bethnal Green, N.E.Will the right hon. Gentleman bring in a Bill to abolish the Act if it cannot be carried out?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI do not say that it cannot be carried out, but that a proper censorship would be necessary to carry it out.