WHIST DRIVES. (Hansard, 25 April 1929)

§ 5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
asked the Home Secretary whether he has given any general instructions regarding small whist drives of a social character organised amongst friends where small prizes are competed for; if he is aware that in certain cases in the Metropolitan area the organisers of these little tournaments are being pestered and hunted and warned of their illegality; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
I have called the attention of all chief officers of police to the views of my predecessors, which I stated and endorsed in reply to a question in this House last year—namely, that the police should not interfere unless harm is being done. There is no reason to think that there has been interference unnecessarily in the Metropolitan police district, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any information to a contrary effect, I should be glad if he would send it to me so that I may look into it.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
May I ask if that answer means that the right hon. Gentleman will look into cases that have arisen in the provinces?

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
I am quite prepared to consider any case. Of course, I cannot pledge myself as to any course of action, because I have to consider what powers I have.

§ Mr. HAYES
In view of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the codification of the law is likely to be undertaken to repeal some of these old-fashioned enactments?

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
Naturally, it is my duty to read and consider, as I have already considered, the Report of the Royal Commission. The hon. Member knows that it is not possible to undertake any legislation in this Parliament, but the matter will undoubtedly be considered in the next.

§ Sir HENRY CAUTLEY
Is not this the broad dividing line, that where no personal profit is made out of these whist drives there is no illegality and the police do not interfere?

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
I think it would be very much better if my hon. and learned Friend would read the answer which I gave in the House about a year ago. It was a very full answer setting out the views of my predecessor, which I endorsed.

§ Mr. HORE-BELISHA
Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that this form of pastime is perfectly legal?

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
That is the difficulty. It is so difficult to get the exact facts, and some of these pastimes may be technically illegal. What I have done is to advise the police—I cannot do more than that, as I told the House last year—not to prosecute in these cases unless real harm is being done to the community.

§ Mr. HAYES
Will the right hon. Gentleman receive from me a contribution for the Borstal Fund if my number happens to be the winning number in the Stock Exchange Sweepstake?