HC Deb 27 March 1933 vol 276 cc677-8
58. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the confiscation of prize money illegally won by British subjects in a foreign sweepstake; and whether he will use such confiscated money towards liquidating the debt of the Irish Free State to Great Britain?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)

Legislation would be required if it were decided to confiscate money won in sweepstakes, whether promoted inside or outside the United Kingdom. Any question of legislation on the subject of sweepstakes must await the further recommendations of the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Betting. As regards sweepstakes promoted in the Irish Free State, a special consideration arises in that the Irish Free State Government now take a part of the proceeds, and this aspect of the matter will not be overlooked by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why such questions were not put to the Royal Commission?

60. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the continued drain of large sums of money from this country for lotteries in Dublin, Rome, Danzig and elsewhere; and whether he will ask the Royal Commission to submit an interim report on this and kindred matters at an early date to enable legislation dealing with the present difficulties to be introduced without further delay?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, there appears, to be no occasion to ask the Royal Commission to submit a further interim report, as I understand their final recommendations may be expected in two or three months' time.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is it not desirable that the law in this matter should be clarified as soon as possible, especially as 'the Home Office gave evidence before the Royal Commission that the police are unable to stop the sending of sweepstake tickets between this country and the Irish Free State?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I do not think that any great time will be lost.