§ 40. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the terms of the Victory Bonds recently issued by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, under which there are to be annual drawings for prizes of £15 per bond; and whether, apart from the official encouragement thus given to gambling, the Government has considered the question whether the proposed drawings constitute an offence under the Lottery Acts?
§ Mr. BALDWINUnder the provisions of Section 2 of the War Loan Act, 1919, the Treasury were specifically authorised by Parliament to make arrangements for the redemption of Victory Bonds at par by annual drawings.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYHas the right hon. Gentleman taken the opinion of the law officers of the Crown as to whether that is a sufficient compliance with the Lottery Acts?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe authority of Parliament is supreme.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYHas the moral aspect of the question been considered fully?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Gentleman is a greater authority upon that subject than I am.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs this further evidence of the desire of the Government to make the world safe for hypocrisy?