§ 36. Mr. RAIKESasked the Attorney-General if he intends to instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to take action in the case of the Christmas draw subscription fund in aid of the Gracie Fields' Orphanage endowment fund and the grand Christmas draw in aid of the Invalid and Crippled Children's Society and Hospital, in view of the fact that he recently instructed action to be taken against the Atholl appeal fund?
§ Sir VICTOR WARRENDER (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend does not intend to instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to take any action in these cases. He understands that they have been brought to the notice of the police authorities, who, save in exceptional cases, are entrusted with the enforcement of the law relating to lotteries.
§ Mr. RAIKESCan my hon. Friend tell me why, in view of the action which was 17 taken in regard to the Duke of Atholl's Fund, the entirely straightforward lotteries mentioned in my question were not dealt with at the beginning, instead of no action being taken?
Captain CROOKSHANKIs the hon. Baronet aware that there is a vast difference between Miss Gracie Fields and the Duke of Atholl?
§ 49. Mr. RAIKESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will instruct police action to be taken against the Christmas draw subscription fund in aid of the Gracie Fields' Orphanage endowment fund, and the grand Christmas draw in aid of the Invalid and Crippled Children's Society and Hospital, for contravention of the law against lotteries?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I have no authority to give directions to the police in this matter, but if an illegal public lottery comes to the notice of the Secretary of State it is, and has for a long time been, the practice to call the attention of the responsible chief officer of police to it with a view to his considering the question of proceedings. The two schemes to which my hon. Friend refers have already been brought to the notice of the police and I understand that it is proposed to institute proceedings in both cases.
§ Mr. RAIKESMay I ask why, if proceedings were taken against the British Helpers' Association some time ago and it was arranged that subscriptions should be returned, the same steps have not been taken in this case?
§ Sir J. GILMOURPerhaps the hon. Member will put a question down.
§ Mr. DORANIs it not time to abolish the silly laws against lotteries altogether and so give needy people the full benefit of these charitable efforts?