§ 13. Mr. BATEYasked the Home Secretary whether the attention of the police has been directed to the gambling and drinking party which was organised by the Ivory Cross National Dental Aid Fund on Wednesday evening, 5th December; and whether any action is to be taken against those persons who are known to have been present, seeing that 30s. each was paid for a ticket of admission, for which free drinks were supplied and gaming tables were supplied?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police are aware that a largely attended party was held at Sunderland House on the 5th instant, at which it is alleged that gambling took place and intoxicating liquor was supplied, each person paying 30s. for admission. The police have no evidence that offences were committed against the Gaming Acts or the Licensing Acts, but if such evidence were forthcoming the question of instituting proceedings would be considered.
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand from that reply that a party can engage 537 a house and supply drink, that a man can be drunk and "chucked out," and gambling can take place to the extent that £80,000 changed hands, and yet there was no offence?
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTWill the Home Secretary make inquiries as to how it is that the police are not informed of circumstances which are quite well known and are reported daily in the popular Press?
§ Sir J. GILMOUREverything that is reported in the popular Press is not evidence. I have made it clear that should evidence be forthcoming—which of course is the material factor—proceedings will be taken.
§ Mr. KNIGHTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the impression that is caused on the public mind by this discrepancy between facts known to the Press and unknown to the police?
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSCan my right hon. Friend say how many of those who were present at the party voted for the Third Reading of the Betting and Lotteries Bill?
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand from the Home Secretary's reply that the police have made inquiries and find that the Press reports are not correct?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir ARNOLD WILSONOn a point of Order. May I, as chairman of the executive committee of the fund mentioned in the question, say that the fund was in no way responsible for the organisation of this party—that, while not ungrateful to the promoters, we accept no sort of responsibility.
§ Mr. T. SMITHAre we to take it from the Home Secretary's statement that parties of this kind are within the law?
§ Sir J. GILMOUROf course, it is a question of getting sufficient evidence to show that the law was broken. As I have said, if we get that evidence, the question of taking proceedings will undoubtedly be considered. The practical difficulty, which I think the House will realise, is that of getting sufficient evidence.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have already spent a long time on this question.