HC Deb 18 July 1946 vol 425 cc1376-7
40. Mr. Nally

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation imposing a legal obligation upon football pool proprietors and firms to pay out a stipulated percentage of their total receipts to clientele returning correct results; or what other action he proposes to safeguard the interests of the large section of the public participating in football pools.

Mr. Ede

As I told my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 13th March, I shall be glad if he will let me have any information which supports his suggestion that a large proportion of the receipts of some of the pools is not returned to the public in winnings.

Mr. Nally

Is the Home Secretary aware that I and a number of friends are collecting some evidence, and that meantime it remains a fact that a gambler on football pools has no protection whatever that the total amount accruing into a pool will be paid back to those investing in it?

Mr. Ede

I shall be very pleased to receive the evidence when it has been collected, and then to consider whether any action should be taken.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Is the Minister aware that a considerable section of sensible opinion in the country would like to see legislation banning football pools altogether?