HC Deb 09 December 1937 vol 330 cc558-9
31. Mrs. Tate

asked the Home Secretary on how many occasions fines were imposed for offences under the Betting Acts in the years 1930 to 1935, inclusive.

Sir S. Hoare

As the answer includes a table of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mrs. Tate

In view of the fact that a large number of these fines were inflicted on persons for what the well-to-do can do every day of the week with impunity, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is high time that the betting and gambling laws were reformed?

Sir S. Hoare

My hon. Friend will see that her Supplementary Question goes far beyond the scope of the original question.

Mr. T. Williams

When circulating the reply can the right hon. Gentleman supply figures showing in how many cases Tote Investors, Limited, have distrained on the goods of credit betters who cannot pay their debts?

Following is the answer:

Separate figures relating to offences under the Betting Acts are not available. I can give figures showing the number of persons who were fined for offences of all kinds under the various enactments, including local acts and by-laws, relating to betting, gaming and lotteries, which were as follow:

1930 … … … 17,607
1931 … … … 16,332
1932 … … … 13,257
1933 … … … 14,516
1934 … … … 15,295
1935 … … … 17,090