HC Deb 12 November 1947 vol 444 cc376-7
39. Brigadier Mackeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many letters believed to contain football coupons have been seized or delayed by the postal authorities in Malta during the last year.

Mr. Rees-Williams

Six letter packets containing football coupons were detained on 30th August and eight more on 9th September. Football pools have been made illegal in Malta under the Public Lotto (Amendment) Ordinance, 1947, which was brought into force on 30th June last.

Brigadier Mackeson

Is it not a most unfortunate thing that letters written by Service men to British subjects should be interfered with? Could he say on whose authority such action is taken?

Mr. Rees-Williams

Under the provisions of the Lotto Ordinance.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Do these coupons refer to matches in this country or to those of the Malta Football League which, I understand, is a flourishing institution?

Mr. Rees-Williams

To football matches in this country, I understand.