§ 3. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the recently published accounts in connection with the national whist drive championship organised by the National Institute for the Blind; and whether any action is contemplated with a view to dealing with this form of charity?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)My attention had not been called to the accounts, and they are not submitted to me. Whether a particular whist drive is lawful or not appears to depend upon the circumstances in which it is held, and the action, if any, to be taken is a matter for the local police.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the receipts for this whist drive were £58,488 and the expenditure £61,646, showing a net loss of £3,158? Does he not think that an inquiry into accounts of this kind, when money has been collected presumably on behalf of the blind, should be made?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI was not aware of the figures. If the hon. and gallant Member had sent them to me before putting his question I would have 1341 been in a better position to answer. It seems to have been rather an unprofitable transaction.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not rather like trade union accounts?
§ Colonel DAYIf I put the question again, a week hence, will the right hon. Gentleman then have had time to look into the matter, seeing that in the previous year £68,000 was collected in the same way and nearly all went in travelling expenses and salaries?