HC Deb 17 February 1938 vol 331 cc2064-5
60. Mr. Vyvyan Adams

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the large and unregulated profits which have lately attached to the promoters of betting on football pools; and whether, to protect the public, he proposes to ask Parliament for powers to enable him to regulate the trade?

Sir S. Hoare

I am aware of the estimates which have recently been given in the Press regarding the profits made by the promoters of these pools; but I would remind my hon. Friend that, as stated by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to a question on 15th February by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Western Division of Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Johnston), these profits are already subject to the full rigours of our taxation system. I am not satisfied that it is necesary, in the national interest, to establish special machinery by which the operation of these pools would be regulated by the State.

Mr. Adams

Does not the right hon. Gentleman understand how peculiarly scandalous this racket is? Not only do the promoters rake off 5 per cent. in profits free of all risk, but anything between 15 per cent. and 40 per cent. of the receipts is also taken for expenses which are free from any kind of scrutiny?

Sir S. Hoare

I am not satisfied that it is necessary in the national interest to establish special machinery for the regulation of these transactions.

Mr. T. Smith

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "national interest" in this case?

Mr. Adams

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that about 9,000,000 of our fellow citizens are being steadily mulcted in this way?

Mr. Garro Jones

Is the right hon. Gentleman certain that none of these pools infringe the Lottery Acts, irrespective of the Act of 1934?

Sir S. Hoare

If there is any question of transgression of the law, it is obviously a case for prosecution.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever known anybody ruined through one of these pools?

Viscountess Astor

Is it not a fact that control of these pools has already been considered by the Cabinet?