§ 30. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Postmaster-General under what circumstances and for what reason this House may not be informed as to the number of private letters which have been opened since 1st January by postal officials, at the instance of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in order to ascertain whether they contain matter relating to sweepstakes; and whether he will give the House approximate numbers?
§ Sir K. WOODIt would not be in the public interest to make available to the promoters of lotteries any information as to the scope and effect of the action taken to prevent the distribution and sale of lottery tickets in this country.
§ Sir W. DAVISONHas not the right hon. Gentleman made a mistake? Does he not mean in the interests of the Gov 1566 ernment and not of the public? As this practice is an infringement of the rights of individuals, why cannot he tell us approximately the number of letters which have been opened, as the people in question have every right individually to send a letter in this connection?
§ Sir K. WOODI doubt if my hon. Friend would be any happier if he knew these figures.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDoes the Post Office claim the right to open letters irrespective of there being a suspicion that the post is being used for lottery purposes?
§ Sir K. WOODNo. We can only act at the request of the Home Office.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is not a question of my wish but of public liberty? Why cannot he tell us the number of letters which have been opened in the post from people who are legally entitled to send them?
§ Sir K. WOODIt is not good for us to know everything in life.
§ 65. Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a person living at No. 14, Sussex Street, Plaistow, E.13, sent a letter to the treasurer of the Irish sweepstakes in Dublin for a ticket in the Lincolnshire Handicap sweepstake in March; that the letter was opened and the contents returned to the sender in a letter together with a printed notice, No. S.R.P. 5,916, stating that the sender of a postal order can obtain repayment of the amount on presenting the order and the counterfoil at the issuing office; what illegal action the person is alleged to have committed; and if he intends to take any action in the matter?
§ Sir J. GILMOUROne of the objects of the recent Act was to discourage participation in the Irish sweepstakes. An individual application to the promoters of these sweepstakes for a ticket for the applicant's own use is detained not because the applicant is committing an offence but because it is illegal to sell or distribute in this country tickets in the Irish sweepstakes, and I have frequently explained that the use of the post cannot be allowed for this purpose. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that all the Members of this House were led to understand that they were entitled as individuals to send letters for a sweepstake ticket, and that that would be legal, according to the right hon. Gentleman's decision?
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he definitely informed the House on the passage of the Bill that there was no objection whatever to an individual taking a ticket, but that the Bill was aimed at the distribution or sale of tickets in this country? What right has he to use the Post Office to interfere with the legal action of an individual?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I have failed to make it clear to the House in the repeated statements that I have made, I cannot hope to make it clear by going into the matter now.
§ Commander MARSDENMay I ask for the benefit of the public whether the right hon. Gentleman will make it clear that, although it is legal to send a letter through the Post Office, it is illegal for the Post Office to receive and distribute it?