§ COLONEL SANDYS (Lancashire, S.W., Bootle)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at two bazaars, held recently in St. James's Hall, Manchester, by Roman Catholics, "roulette" and other forms of gambling were openly carried on; whether such gambling is or is not contrary to the law of England; whether he will inquire into the matter; and, if found to be as stated, will take steps to bring the law home to those responsible for and concerned; whether it is or is not the case that, in either or both of the cases of gambling before referred to, a leading detective in the Manchester Police Force was present and witnessed the gambling without making any protest in order to stop it; and if he will ascertain whether the detective has made any report of the matter to his superiors in the Manchester Police; and what action is to be taken therein?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Chief Constable of Manchester that at a bazaar held in November last a roulette table, which had been brought to the bazaar for sale, was for a short time improperly used for play. This was stopped, by the police. At this bazaar, and at one recently held at the same place, turn-tables were used in disposing of fancy articles, but the Local Authority, whose duty it would be to prosecute if the law were infringed, did not deem it advisable to take any pro- 690 ceedings. The police have, however, instructions to prevent such practices at bazaars in future. At both bazaars police officers were present for the purpose of preventing robberies and detecting pickpockets.