ROYAL COMMISSION ON GAMBLING

HC Deb 28 April 1949 vol 464 cc354-5

25. Mr. John Lewis

asked the Prime Minister if he will increase the number of persons who have agreed to serve on the Royal Commission on Gambling, so as to include a representative of Tattersalls and/or the National Greyhound Racing Society.

Mr. H. Morrison

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir.

Mr. Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the present members of the Royal Commission have sufficient practical experience, and is he aware that, apart from one member of the Royal Commission, the rest of the members have not the remotest idea, by virtue of the constitution of this Commission and their qualifications, of how to ask any questions on this matter, because they would not understand it?

Mr. Morrison

I think that generally the House would agree that this is a matter upon which objective impartiality is desirable rather than having people who are so expert that it might be difficult for them to free their minds from their expertness. No doubt the assistance my hon. Friend contemplates could be made available to the Royal Commission by means of people like those about whom he is concerned giving evidence in the usual way.