HC Deb 10 February 1944 vol 396 cc1895-6
34. Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give any information in connection with the police raid on the Wardour Social Club, Gerrard Street, Soho, charged by the police with being a club used as a gambling house; and if he intends closing the club.

Mr. H. Morrison

This club was entered by the police on 4th February, and the proprietor and ten other persons found on the premises were arrested. On the following day the proprietor was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with hard labour and ordered to pay £6 10s. costs. He has given notice of appeal against the sentence. The ten frequenters were bound over. There is no power to order the closing of a club of this character.

Mr. Thorne

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the reasons why I take such an interest in these gaming clubs is because that when I was a boy I saw men come out of the factory, play pitch and toss and lose all their money?

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Is a proper check made on the persons who frequent these clubs in view of the fact that so many are salesmen and people not essential to the war effort?

Mr. Morrison

If my hon. Friend is contemplating that it is at all possible for the police to make a full check on everyone who goes into a club I can assure him that in the existing man-power situation it is quite impossible.

Mr. Walkden

Do you check up when a raid is made?

Mr. Morrison

When we make a raid we find out all sorts of interesting things.