§ MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been called to the amount of Limerick competitions that take place in certain newspapers; and whether, having regard to the quasi-gambling nature of the competitions, he will be prepared to initiate legislation to deal with this question.
§ MR. GLADSTONEYes, Sir; my attention has been drawn to a number of these competitions. I am aware that both the character of the competitions themselves, and the manner in which the awards are said to be made, have aroused considerable dissatisfaction. It would be better if the energies of the public could be diverted into a healthier channel, but I cannot at present give any pledge to introduce legislation to deal with the matter. The question is, however, under the consideration of the Attorney-General and myself.