§ 43. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary whether he can inform the House that there has been any substantial diminution of betting and gambling in Great Britain since the passing of the Betting and Lotteries Act last year; whether his attention has been called to the fact that some 6,000,000 people during 1483 the football season have been in the habit of laying bets each week by means of postal subscriptions to football pools; and what proportion these numbers bear to persons who took tickets in lotteries which are prohibited by the legislation above referred to?
Captain WALLACEI have no means of obtaining the information for which my hon. Friend asks. The effect of the Betting and Lotteries Act, 1934, does not appear to be correctly described in the last part of the question. Before that Act all lotteries in this country were illegal except those authorised under the provisions of the Art Unions Act, 1846, and the Act of last year while maintaining the general prohibition of lotteries, exempts from that prohibition certain types of small lotteries which are described in Sections 23 and 24 of the Act.
§ Sir W. DAVISONHaving regard to the fact that we were informed that the object of the legislation passed by the Government last year was to reduce betting and gambling, is it not desirable that the Home Office should have some information as to whether that object has been achieved?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not a fact that before the Act was passed many lotteries were allowed which are not now allowed and which are of a harmless nature?