§ 34. Mr. FOOTasked the Secretary of State far Scotland if his attention has been called to the action of the directors of the Albion Greyhound Racing Ground, Ibrox, Glasgow, in installing totalisators on their greyhound racing track; and if he is prepared to take any action in the matter, seeing that the Racecourse Betting Act applies only to horse races on approved racecourses?
§ 36. Mr. SCRYMGEOURasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that certain greyhound racing companies in Scotland have illegally set up and operated totalisators in all parts of their grounds; and what steps will be taken in the matter?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIn the stated case, the Procurator-Fiscal of Glasgow versus the Scottish Greyhound Racing Company and Fred Taylor (13th March, 1930), it has been decided that. the owners of a dog-racing course operating a totalisator on that course, are not guilty of an offence against Section 1 of the Betting Act, 1853, as extended to Scotland by the Betting Act, 1874. Apart from legislation, it would not appear that there are any further steps my right hon. Friend could take in the matter.
§ Mr. FOOTDo I understand that, following upon that case, the totalisator can now be set up at every greyhound racing track throughout the country?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONI should not care expound a difficult legal decision in answer to a supplementary question.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIn view of the cordial relations between the Labour party and the bookmakers—
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURDoes not the hon. Gentleman consider that this is a logical development of the Act which we passed?
Mr. MACLEANIs it not a fact that the stated case referred to by the hon. Gentleman was taken under the Acts of 1853 and 1874, wherein there is no mention of the totalisator; and that the 2712 Crown ought to have taken the case against these individuals under the Act of 1928?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now giving a legal opinion.