HC Deb 03 November 1919 vol 120 cc1128-9
Mr. BOTTOMLEY (by Private Notice)

asked the Leader of the House whether, pending the decision of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of an issue al premium or prize bonds, the Government will exercise the power conferred upon it under the Defence of the Realm Act, and prohibit the forwarding of money through the Post Office in subscriptions to any continental lottery, prize bond, or sweepstake scheme?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Apart from other considerations, it would not, I feel sure, be practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. HOGGE

Before the Chancellor of tile Exchequer gives his decision, will there be any reference back to the old Committee which reported on premium bonds, or will it be a decision by the Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My right hon. Friend suggests, and I think it is the only possible way, that as this is a new Parliament we should have the matter reconsidered by another Committee.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Why is it not practicable for the Post Office to prohibit the delivery of letters addressed to continental agents for lottery bonds or sweepstakes?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Although the Post Office issues the postal orders the course suggested would be impracticable unless all the money were stopped, and all letters were opened to prevent letters with money reaching the agents of these lotteries.

Mr. BILLING

Is it not a fact that large sums of money are leaving the country in this way, and getting into the French lottery loan, and would it not be better for that money to be kept in this country for our own lotteries?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As I have indicated, apart from the difficulty there are other considerations, and I think that we should be careful before taking steps to prevent money going to the French Government.

Mr. REMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of letters asking for subscriptions for lotteries is arriving in this country bearing the Hamburg postmark?

Mr. KENNEDY JONES

Would it not be better and cheaper, instead of setting up another Committee, to consider premium hotels, to circulate among Members the evidence submitted to and the Report issued by the last Committee, which sat eighteen months ago, and took every kind of evidence, and let Members form their own opinion?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I hope sincerely that the time of the new Committee will be greatly curtailed by having at their disposal all the materials possessed by the old Committee, but the view of those who asked for the Committee is that probably the decision of the new Committee will be different from that of the old Committee.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Why bother about a new Committee at all? Circulate the Report of the old Committee, and take a Vote of the House.

Sir W. H. DAVISON

Is the tight hon. Gentleman aware that only this morning Members received particulars of a very `attractive State lottery from Denmark with an English prospectus attached? Will he expedite a decision on this matter before the British public subscribe to these foreign lotteries?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I recognise that there ought not to be any delay in coming to a decision. I will discuss the matter again with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but. 1 ion inclined to think that the House would like to have the advice of a Committee of its own Members. [Cries of "No ‡"]

Sir M. DOCKRELL

Has the principle been approved, though the scheme may be deferred? If it was understood that the Government approved the principle it would have the effect desired.

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is impossible to separate details and principles in cases of this kind.