HC Deb 03 June 1918 vol 106 cc1233-4
66. Sir C. HENRY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider introducing legislation in order that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis may not be compelled to take action against promoters of war charities when, for the purpose of collecting money, they have recourse to tombolas, lotteries, or raffles?

Mr. BRACE

This proposal would raise difficult and controversial questions, and I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the subject at present.

Sir C. HENRY

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the Com missioners of Police by which some modifications will be made in the Order, so that the war charities making use of tombolas and raffles may not be interfered with?

Mr. BRACE

The difficulty is that once you make an alteration in the law you do not know where it will stop.

Sir C. HENRY

Are we to understand that raising money for war charities is vetoed entirely?

Mr. BRACE

I cannot say that.

Mr. PRINGLE

Cannot it be done by Regulation under the Defence of the Realm Act, just like the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act?

Mr. BRACE

It can be done in many ways, but the Government are not pre pared to do it at present.

Mr. HOUSTON

Cannot those war charity undertakings in which tombolas and lotteries are being organised at present be allowed to be completed? A very big effort is being made in Liverpool at present to raise funds to provide food for our prisoners in Germany.

Mr. BRACE

I will give consideration to the war charities which have made arrangements already, and see if anything can be done.

Sir C. HENRY

Does this provision apply to the whole country, and are the police to put it into operation?

Mr. BRACE

Certainly.