HC Deb 27 May 1907 vol 174 cc1320-1
Mr. BOTTOMLEY (, S.) Hackney

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, since the passing of the Street Betting Act, a system has sprung up whereby men and women employed in factories are offered special facilities for betting, by means of bookmakers' agents employed in the works; whether his attention has been called to a recent statement by the Rev. B. Gregory, preaching at the Salford Mission, to the effect that in one factory the foreman acted as bookmaker with the girls as clients; and whether, having regard to these facts, he will consider the desirableness of amending or repealing the Act.

MR. GLADSTONE

I have no information as to the particular case mentioned beyond that contained in the newspaper report which the hon. Member has been good enough to send me. The Home Office has occasionally received complaints about betting in factories, but these were before and not after the passing of the Street Betting Act. If it is the case that the practice has increased, that fact may point to the necessity of further strengthening the law, but can afford no reason for repealing the useful Act of last session.

Statement showing the number of passengers carried by British and German Vessels from British and Irish Ports to the United States, in each of the years 1904, 1905 and 1906, distinguishing Cabin and Steerage passengers:—
Year. By British Vessels. By German Vessels.
Cabin. Steerage. Total. Cabin. Steerage. Total.
1904 29,797 221,987 251,784 6,366 42 6,408
1905 33,817 201,434 235,251 6,161 316 6,477
1906 33,258 260,780 294,038 7,382 553 7,935