§ 73. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the reason why people resident in Scotland are debarred from taking part in crossword competitions where an entrance fee has to be paid; and whether he is prepared to take action to place Scottish entrants in the same position as competitors in other parts of Great Britain?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Normand)The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. A person resident in Scotland is not debarred from taking part in a crossword puzzle competition by reason of the fact that an entrance fee is payable, but the method of ascertaining the winners of the competition involves, in many cases, a contravention of the criminal law.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the hon. and learned Gentleman say what class of competition is actually debarred?
§ Mr. NORMANDCompetitions which involve chance.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us exactly what is the element of chance in the competitions which are barred?
§ Mr. NORMANDIn some of these competitions the distribution of prizes depends on the order in which the envelopes containing correct solutions are opened.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us what are the chances of winning and what are the chances of losing?