§ 80. Sir. W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the additional evidence
§ the particulars which my hon. Friend desires.
§ Following are the particulars:
§ recently submitted to him that there is a general demand for a clarification of the law relating to lotteries, raffles and sweepstakes, he is now prepared to take steps in the matter?
813§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Clynes)I have received from the hon. Member certain documents, including a statement signed by a number of hon. Members representing that the law relating to raffles and sweepstakes requires the immediate attention of the Home Office. I have carefully considered this material, but, as I have informed the hon. Member, I am unable to regard it as proof of any general demand of the kind to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) on the 11th December last, namely, a general demand that I should look into the question of setting up a committee to investigate, as a practical question, the conditions and safeguards which would be necessary and appropriate if lotteries were to be permitted as a method of raising money for approved public purposes. I have received representations from several quarters protesting against the proposal that sweepstakes should be legalised for the purpose of assisting charitable objects.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that the memorial which I submitted to him covers the point which he raised, namely, that the matter should be inquired into, and will he appoint a committee to see what safeguards are required in order that lotteries or sweepstakes for public purposes may be legalised?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs my reply indicates I did not regard the evidence which the hon. Member was good enough to supply to me as answering the suggestion which I made, that, if a general demand was shown to me, I would consider it. To a very great extent, the evidence submitted by the hon. Member has been balanced by opposite evidence.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhat evidence of a general demand would the right hon. Gentleman accept? Is he aware that I submitted a memorial sent by Saint Batholomew's Hospital signed by 3,000 people, of whom 2,000 were in the affirmative?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat cannot fairly be described as indicating a general demand.
§ Mr. HACKINGWhy are the Government so opposed to setting up a committee?
§ Mr. CLYNESMany others beside the Government are opposed to setting up a committee.
§ Mr. CLYNESI have done so.