§ 15. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state for the last 12 months the number of persons who have been convicted of street betting in the Metropolitan Police area and in the county borough of West Ham, respectively; and what was the total amount of fines imposed.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeDuring the year 1955, 5,203 persons were convicted in the Metropolitan Police District for offences against the Street Betting Act, 1906. Fines and costs, which cannot easily be separated, amounted to £52,440. The corresponding figures for the county borought of West Ham were 423 and £10,300, respectively.
§ Mr. LewisCould the Home Secretary give an explanation why these people are being prosecuted when they are small bookmakers, whereas the big bookmakers are illegally placing advertisements in all 1953 the national Press every day and are carrying on illegal post betting? Both the Home Secretary and the Attorney-General refuse to take action against them. Why not treat the small bookmaker and the big bookmaker alike? Will he not prosecute these people if I submit to him further evidence to that already in his possession?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe whole of this question is one which comes within the larger question of the reform of the law which, as I have announced to the House, we propose to undertake at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ Mr. LewisIn view of the fact that the Minister appears to be under some misapprehension, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.