§ 11. Major BRAITHWAITEasked the Home Secretary in view of the ruling of the Courts in reference to football competitions in newspapers, whether he will introduce legislation to make such competitions legal?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have received no request from any newspaper for such legislation and it is far too soon to consider it.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the utter confusion in which the law relating to news- 1377 paper competitions stands, in that it permits what are called bullets or missing words, but does not permit last-line competitions? Will he bring in legislation to amend and clarify the law?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid that I have not any experience of bullets and last-line competitions. If the hon. and gallant Member will prepare me a paper on the subject, I shall be glad to consider it.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs my right hon. Friend aware that this legal decision is highly unpopular, that there is a demand for legislation, and that in many quarters the decision is attributed erroneously to the Government?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSOf course, the Government had nothing whatever to do with the legal decision. It is far too early for the Government to consider dealing with a decision which was given, I think, only a week ago. Until to-day I have not heard the view expressed that the decision was unpopular.
§ Major BRAITHWAITEWere these proceedings taken at the instigation of the right hon. Gentleman's Department?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir.