§ 36. Mr. R. Morganasked the Home Secretary whether he will take action for the suppression of football pools in wartime, in view of the need for saving paper, 682 utilising man- and woman-power on the most useful lines, and promoting war savings?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe amount of business transacted by the football pool companies has greatly decreased since the outbreak of war. For example, the amount paid into the pools by the public in the form of postal orders was in the 1941–42 season 80 per cent. less than in 1938–39. On the information before me I hardly think there are any sufficient grounds to justify singling out this particular form of amusement for repressive measures.
§ Captain PluggeWould not the suppression of football pools result in a great loss of revenue to the Post Office and, therefore, to the Exchequer, and ought not everything be done to encourage a hobby which occupies people at home, saving transport and other wasteful expenditure?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend is trying morally to draw me in the opposite direction; I think I had better not get there either.