§ 18. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the extension of totalisator betting, not only to dog-racing tracks but to private premises operating under the guise of clubs; and whether he intends to take steps by legislation to limit totalisator betting to horse-racing on racecourses on days when horse-racing takes place, in accordance with the wording of the Racecourse Betting Act?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Stanley)I am aware of the matters referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the legality of operating totalisators elsewhere than on an approved racecourse, I understand that an authoritative decision is likely to be obtained as the result of an appeal on a case stated by the Leeds Stipendiary Magistrate. The question whether any legislation is required must necessarily be deferred meanwhile, and it would, I think, be premature to consider the matter pending the report of the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Betting, whose attention has been drawn to this matter among others.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSOn greyhound racing tracks where totalisators are in 302 existence and where no charge is made for admittance but the proprietors derive their profit from the operations of the tote, have the Revenue Department taken any steps to ensure that Entertainments Duty is paid?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it has been addressed to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury?
§ 23. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the fact that part of the evidence of the Betting Control Board is being heard in private by the Royal Commission on Betting, he will inquire as to whether the intention is that such evidence as has been heard in private shall be published along with the other evidence?
Mr. STANLEYI understand that it is not proposed to publish evidence heard in private from any witnesses.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs any more evidence likely to be taken, and does the hon. Gentleman think it will be fair on the general public to sum up the situation unless all the evidence is made available?
Mr. STANLEYI could not answer the first part of the supplementary question without notice. In regard to the second part, a Royal Commission has been set up composed of people who meet with the approval of hon. Members generally and we must leave it to them to get at the truth of the matter in what they think is the best possible way.
§ 25. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Home Secretary whether any interim report from the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Betting, dealing specifically with the question of sweepstakes, may be expected during the current year?
Mr. STANLEYMy right hon. Friend is not aware of the intentions of the Commission, but they have not been asked by the Government to submit an interim report on any aspect of their inquiry. As already stated in reply to previous questions, it must be left to the Commission to determine their own procedure in the matter.