HC Deb 12 December 1934 vol 296 cc382-4
48. Mr. NORTH

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied that the existing staff employed for the purpose is adequate to prevent the use of the inland post for the transmission of legal and illegal lottery tickets; and whether there is any intention to increase the staff or issue new instructions as a result of recent legislation dealing with lotteries?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)

I am satisfied that the existing arrangements are adequate. The position will be kept under review.

Mr. NORTH

Can my right hon. Friend say approximately the total number of letters opened by his Department in their search for lottery tickets?

Sir K. WOOD

Obviously, that is another matter entirely.

49. Mr. NORTH

asked the Postmaster-General whether Post Office messengers are permitted to carry packages conveying lottery tickets either of a legal or illegal nature, respectively; and whether he intends to issue any new instructions in this matter as a result of recent legislation legalising certain lotteries?

Sir K. WOOD

Post Office messengers receive the same instructions as other Post Office servants, and the answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Mr. NORTH

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether these messengers are allowed to open letters and packages?

Sir K. WOOD

That is another matter.

Mr. COCKS

What does the right hon. Gentleman do with these lottery tickets? Does he keep them for himself, or does he distribute them to his staff, or what?

Mr. LOGAN

If a lottery were declared illegal, what would happen if a postman abstracted one of the tickets and put it into his pocket?

Sir K. WOOD

I should consult the hon. Gentleman as to that.

50. Mr. NORTH

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the desirability of introducing in the public interest amended regulations at an early date enabling the Post Office to accept for transmission any letter containing any voucher, ticket, or coupon in a competition or lottery which is legal under the Betting and Lotteries Act of 1934?

Sir K. WOOD

As was explained in answer to my hon. Friend's question on the 4th instant, the tickets of lotteries which have become legal under the Betting and Lotteries Act, 1934, are not transmissible by post; and the question of issuing amended regulations does not therefore arise.

Mr. NORTH

Does not my right hon. Friend think that a considerable anomaly has arisen?

Sir K. WOOD

I cannot comment on the action of this House.

Mr. PIKE

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the answer applies to the printer who has received instructions from the promoters of a legal sweepstake, in so far as he is bound under the contract to supply the goods which have been ordered from him; and would those goods be confiscated?

Sir K. WOOD

I should like to consult my legal adviser on the matter.