HC Deb 21 December 1961 vol 651 c1562
39. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the doubts that exist about the need for bookmakers' runners to attend at betting shops after closing to settle the day's transactions, he will instruct the Metropolitan Police not to institute prosecutions in this matter.

The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr. David Renton)

The Commissioner of Police is responsible for enforcing the law in the Metropolis and this is not a matter in which it would be proper for my right hon. Friend to intervene.

Mr. Digby

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that there is some misunderstanding among police authorities in this matter, that it is a perfectly reasonable thing for the runners to attend after hours and that this does not constitute a betting transaction in the sense in which it was discussed during the various stages of the Act?

Mr. Renton

There has so far been no prosecution in the Metropolis on this point. In so far as there is a point of law involved, my right hon. Friend has no authority to express an opinion.