HC Deb 25 November 1912 vol 44 c795
19. Mr. WALTER REA

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the difficulty in which watch committees throughout the country are placed in deciding under what circumstances whist drives are legal, he can see his way to issue a circular letter to watch committees giving them some authoritative guidance on the subject?

Mr. McKENNA

I will consider whether T can give the police any assistance in this matter, but I have no authority to decide in what circumstances whist drives are legal or illegal; that is a matter which can be settled authoritatively only by the Courts of Law.