§ 85. Mr. WHYTEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the failure of the efforts to prevent the people in Great Britain participating in the Irish sweepstakes, he will consider the legalising of sweepstakes under proper safeguards as a means of assisting the hospitals of this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)Apart from other considerations, no representations have been received by my predecessors or myself which would indicate that the hospital authorities desire a Measure of this character. On the contrary, I understand that in June of this year the British Hospitals' Association passed a resolution to the effect that "the association is not in favour of any amendment of the law affecting public sweepstakes which purports to be for the benefit of voluntary hospitals."
§ Mr. WHYTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that through the agency of legalised sweepstakes all the hospitals in the Irish Free State are in a better position to engage in research and to give their patients an efficient service while in our country we are in the lamentable position—
§ Viscount EDNAMHave any representations been made to the Irish Free State that English hospitals should 768 participate in the profits of these sweepstakes?
§ Sir H. SAMUELNo, Sir.
Sir F. HALLIf the right hon. Gentleman finds that the Hospitals Committee is changing its attitude on this matter will he consider bringing in legislation to enable sweepstakes to be held here?