§ MR. MANSFIELD (Lincolnshire, Spalding)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that Members and the general public are receiving circulars through the post of a new great money lottery, which is to be drawn in I a Continental town; that these circulars are being sent in letter form, posted in London, stamped at the Post Office, and contain directions to send replies and cash to an address abroad; and whether he can take measures to prevent facilities being given by the Post Office for this traffic.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.Lottery circular's posted in open covers are withheld from delivery if observed, but it is not of course possible to examine every open cover passing through the post, and when circulars are sent in enclosed covers, the Post Office has no cognizance of the contents of such letters, and cannot therefore interfere with their transmission. Even if it were possible to detect them when presented at a Post Office for stamping, their transmission through the post could not be effectually prevented, as it would still be open to the senders to affix stamps and post them in the ordinary way.