§ 51. Mr. DIXEYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the 447 strong feeling in the country that some form of taxation of betting is desirable; and will be consider giving a day to discuss this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI regret that with the present pressure of business I can see no prospect of being able to afford a day for the discussion desired by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. DIXEYWill the Prime Minister consider discussing this question with the Chancellor of the Exchequer as an alternative proposal for his Budget?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not wish to debate the matter, but I can tell my hon. Friend that, before he became a Member of this House, and when I was Chancellor of the Exchequer, this matter was gone into most exhaustively, and that there are one or two objections which seem almost insurmountable.
§ Mr. SPENCERIs the Prime Minister aware that, if any steps are taken with regard to betting, the first and most important is that terms equal to all shall be the first consideration, and not that some shall be sent to prison for "putting 10s. on" and others allowed to "put £10 on" and go free?