HC Deb 01 July 1958 vol 590 cc1055-7
16. Mrs. Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that betting shops are being set up where planning consent has been refused by local authorities; and if, in the light of his further discussions, he will speed up the procedure to deal with these offences.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Planning consent cannot authorise betting shops, or any other illegal activity. Persons engaged in ready-money betting off the course are always liable to prosecution. My right hon. Friend has no power to give instructions to the criminal authorities, but within the limits of their resources the police take action as expeditiously as possible whenever it comes to notice that an offence is being committed.

Mrs. Mann

Is the Under-Secretary aware that I have had a two-hour interview with the Chief Constable of Coatbridge who tells me that he is powerless to do anything here. He complains of the system under which the men operating the "bookie" shops know that under the Town and Country Planning Act it takes at least six months before a prosecution can be laid at their door, and that during that six months the "wide boys" nominate someone else as the owner and tenant of the premises? Cannot he speed up legislation?

Mr. Macpherson

It is not true, of course, to say that the police are powerless in this matter. They have not been inactive and, as I have said, as far as their resources permit, and as soon as the necessary preliminary work for obtaining a warrant can be carried through, they do prosecute.

19. Mrs. Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the increasing number of prosecutions against betting shops in Scotland, if he will reconsider the decision not to introduce legislation dealing with these shops this Session.

Mr. Macpherson

It would be quite impracticable to make progress this Session with a Bill of this nature.

Mrs. Mann

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I do not want legislation that will legalise them and neither do my constituents? Is he aware that we have had thousands of prosecutions this year in Coatbridge? Does he appreciate that we want the Government to be firm and to be firm quickly; either to do one thing or the other? When can we look forward to definite action?

Mr. Macpherson

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mr. Hannan) on 25th February.