§ 33. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Betting Control Board is paying a discount or commission to agents to collect bets away from the course for investment with the totalisators under the control of the Board on racecourses; and whether he proposes, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent the continuance of the practice?
§ Mr. CLYNESI understand that the Board is paying a commission to certain firms engaged in the betting business on bets placed by them on the course with the Board's totalisator and it is advised that such payment is in order. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.
§ Sir B. PETOIn view of the decision of the Home Secretary not to take any action in this matter of collecting bets for totalisators all over the country, how does he propose to enforce that part of the Racecourse Betting Act which prohibits betting with young persons under 17 years of age, and how can he control the matter if these bets are taken in all parts of the country?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe first part of the supplementary question requires me to repeat that I have only announced what the law is. The second part of the question is one of which I should have notice.
§ Mr. FOOTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the Debates in this House proceeded on the assumption that 2344 it only dealt with betting on the course, and will he again refer to the Act of Parliament and consider if the collecting of bets away from the course is within the terms of the Measure?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat may be so, but Parliamentary assumption is not always reconcilable with Court decisions.
§ 42. Mr. FOOTasked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions which have arisen since the passing of the Racecourse Betting Act in respect of breaches of the prohibition of betting transactions with persons under 17 years of age?
§ Mr. CLYNESI regret that at separate figures for prosecutions under Section 4 of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928, are not available, and that therefore I cannot furnish the desired information.
§ Mr. FOOTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this information will be given in the annual report which is many months overdue?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt may be, but the point is covered in succeeding questions.
§ 43. Mr. FOOTasked the Home Secretary the number of racecourses which have now been approved under Section 3 of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928?
§ Mr. CLYNESI would ask the hon. Member to await the Racecourse Betting Control Board's report which I have not yet received, but which I hope to be able to present on the re-assembly of the House after the Easter recess.