§ 16. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to allow local justices to order the closing of betting shops during the hours of racing.
§ Mr. BrookeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a 649 Question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. J. T. Price) on 20th December.
§ Mr. ChapmanIf, as is alleged, there is in some localities a considerable nuisance from too many people hanging about in betting shops during racing hours, a nuisance from too many people being tempted to bet from race to race, and a nuisance because in some localities race courses find that people prefer to go to the shops instead of to the race courses, would it not be a good thing to allow justices a local option to make up their minds on the question of prohibited opening in the way suggested in this Question?
§ Mr. BrookeIt is not a question for the justices but for the Home Secretary. The Home Secretary so far has been acting in general on the views expressed when the Bill was going through Parliament. It was then held that betting offices ought to be open during racing hours so that people who had no other opportunity could place their bets. It was felt that if they were not open to them it would give rise to illegal betting, which is what the Act was designed to stop. But I have an open mind on this, and I am quite prepared to consider the matter further.