MR. TELLYI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that during the last month 1,000 letters were posted at the General Post Office, London, inviting individuals to participate in the German Money Lottery, organised by Friedrich Fricke, banker, Bremen; whether any steps have been taken to trace the parties who posted these letters in London; and whether it is proposed to institute any prosecution.
§ MR. HAYES FISHER (for MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN)I am not aware of the facts of this case. I presume, however, that the invitations referred to were posted in closed covers, and in such case the Post Office would not know that they were being forwarded. If lottery circulars were observed in open covers they would be stopped. The sending of lottery circulars through the post is not an offence against Post Office regulations but against the Lottery Act. The Postmaster General is not the proper person to enforce the provisions of the Lottery Act, but I shall, of course, be happy to assist the Secretary of State for the Home Department in any action which he may think it necessary to take.