§ 14. Mr. SCURRasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the growing practice of raising money for charitable objects by means of competitions and ballots; whether he is aware that many of these are conducted by advertisers who derive profits from the scheme and often issue misleading advertisements regarding the allocation of the funds; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the conduct of schemes of this character?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think a general inquiry of the kind suggested would be fruitful in its results. Any particular case in which irregularities amounting to a criminal offence are suspected would be a matter for investigation by the police, to whom the facts should be reported.
§ Mr. SCURRIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent case £42,000 was subscribed to a charity, and only £15,000 reached the charity?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSReally, the hon. Gentleman must give details. I cannot carry all these figures in my head. If he is of opinion that any representations he has made to the police have not been properly dealt with, there is a remedy by communicating with me.
§ Colonel DAYWhat steps were taken with regard to the whist drive to which I called the right hon. Gentleman's attention, where over £00,000 was subscribed?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.