§ 56. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Prime Minister whether the Government were prepared to leave the question of a premium or prize bond issue to the decision of the House without first appointing another committee to consider it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir, the Government have decided to have the Report of the last Select Committee circulated to Members of the House. It will be ready in a week or ten days, and as soon as possible thereafter a day will be given, 1493 when the House will decide the matter by a free vote without the intervention of the Government Whips.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI will inquire.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this proposal to have premium bonds is exciting great alarm amongst the very large body of bookmakers who carry on business in this country, and will he state whether, if the scheme be carried through, they will be compensated or allowed to qualify for unemployment benefit?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI hope the alarm is justified.
Dr. MURRAYBefore the Government departs from the traditional British method of raising revenue, and in view of the tremendous admiration shown by certain Members of the House for the practices and principles of every country but their own, will the right hon. Gentleman—[Cries of "Speech!"]—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWill the hon. Gentleman drop the preamble and come to the subject?
Dr. MURRAYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending a special mission to the spiritual home of State lotteries, the city of Hamburg, in order that this Hun practice may be more efficiently employed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt will be for the House and each individual Member to decide. Perhaps if the hon. Member is in doubt lie will go to Hamburg himself.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIf the right hon. Gentleman has any doubt as to the moral aspect, will he take the expert advice of the Chaplain of this House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not sure that on questions of that kind I should not go to the hon. Member himself.