§ 8. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the differing interpretations put upon the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 1956, with regard to the registration of lotteries and, in particular, of thrift clubs; and if he will introduce legislation to clarify the law in this respect.
§ Mr. WoodhouseNo, Sir. If there is any doubt about the interpretation of the law in any particular case, it can be settled by recourse to the courts.
§ Mr. DigbyIs my hon. Friend aware that it is very hard for people in a county like Dorset to understand why thrift clubs are not allowed there at all when they are allowed in neighbouring counties? There is no doubt that the views of chief constables differ on this matter, and is not that an unsatisfactory state of affairs?
§ Mr. WoodhouseI am aware that there are these differences, but the proper way of settling them is by recourse to the courts. If it may give my hon. Friend any encouragement, since he wrote to me about the case that he has in mind there has been an amendment to the 1956 Act which should conceivably have some bearing on his case, and it is open to the thrift club that he has in mind in his constituency to apply again for registration.