§ 20. Mr. PIKEasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the fact that certain proceedings are being taken against the" Sheffield Daily Telegraph" and the" Daily Independent," Sheffield, and certain gentlemen employed by those newspapers, in respect of advertisements 160 which the newspapers published offering a prize of £2,500 to the person or persons who were successful in stating the first four horses in this year's Derby stakes, he will consider instituting proceedings against the"Daily Mail,""Daily Express,""Daily Herald," and the"News Chronicle," conducting practically identically the same competition?
§ Mr. HACKINGSteps are being taken by the responsible authorities to obtain counsel's opinion on the legality of these competitions, and the question of the action to be taken will be considered in the light of that opinion.
§ Mr. PIKEDoes my right hon. Friend suggest that summonses have been taken out without the question of legality having been considered ?
§ Mr. HACKINGMy hon. Friend is asking whether we will institute proceedings against certain papers in London. With regard to those papers, the matter is under consideration.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEWhat is the difference between the"Sheffield Daily Telegraph" and the other papers mentioned?
§ Mr. HACKINGIf my hon. Friend reads both, he will probably see some difference.
§ Mr. LYONSWere these proceedings which are said to be pending in Sheffield instituted by the Home Office or by the local police authorities ?
§ Mr. HACKINGThey were not taken by my right hon. Friend's Department.
§ Mr. PIKEIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.