§ 14. Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, although the Government have introduced a Bill for the clarification of the laws of gaming, many proprietors of amusement arcades and fun fairs in and around the Metropolis are being prosecuted for the use of innocent amusement machines and games which in their operation are in no sense gaming or betting; and will he direct that, until Parliament has decided the position of such machines in the new Bill, those prosecutions are discontinued?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Bill does not deal with automatic gaming machines or with gaming. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that it is not the practice to interfere where the machines or games in amusement arcades and fun fairs are used for amusement only, or where the element of betting or gaming is trivial.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the past month there has been a prosecution in Fleet Street, London, where the proprietor of what I call a pin-table used it for the purpose of supplying ordinary cigarettes; and will he consider putting into the Bill some alteration of the Betting Act, 1853, whereby we may be allowed to amuse ourselves without being prosecuted?