§ 23. Mr. Probertasked the Postmaster-General what action he has taken to stop the official Malta Government's lottery organisation from using the facilities of the British Post Office for the sale of tickets in this country and the payment for the tickets with postal orders endorsed to the Malta Government.
§ Mr. AlportThe use of the post for the transmission of documents relating to a lottery, the distribution of which is illegal under the Betting and Lotteries Act, 1934, is prohibited. Steps are taken to detain any such matter which is detected in transit through the post.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIs not the position rather difficult, because apparently this is legal in Malta and illegal in this country? Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that postal orders endorsed "Malta Government" are transferred and cashed by the Post Office here? Surely this is assisting what is illegal in this country and legal in Malta?
§ Mr. AlportThe Question asked about the interception of documents with relation to the lottery, by which, I understand, the hon. Gentleman means lottery tickets. As the right hon. Gentleman will know, the Post Office is always very loth indeed to take or to have any powers which include the opening of mail.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe Question refers to postal orders, which does not involve tampering with the post at all. Postal orders presented to the Post Office for cashing for the Malta Government lottery are surely a matter over which the Post Office should have some control?
§ Mr. AlportIn order to achieve this, we should be compelled to open letters in transit from here to Malta, or, alternatively, to refuse to accept postal orders returned to this country from Malta. I do not think my right hon. Friend would feel justified in doing that.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyWhat did the right hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards) do about it when he was in office?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIt was not in operation then.