§ There is another form of revenue-raising which is not saving, but which can voluntarily attract money which might otherwise be spent: a National Lottery. This might well raise in this country, as it does in many others, a sizeable sum of money for public purposes. There is a Private Member's Bill, presented by my hon. Friend the Member for Cleveland (Mr. Tinn), before the House at the present time. This was carried on Second Reading by a large proportionate majority but in a very small total vote. I have no reason to believe that that vote was unrepresentative of opinion in the House, but before Government action were taken I would prefer to see it confirmed on a better attended day. I therefore propose to table an enabling Clause in the Finance Bill, which will no doubt be debated and voted upon at Report stage on the Floor of the House. The Clause, although presented in the Bill for convenience, will not be a normal Government Clause. There will be a completely free vote on this side of the House—even for Ministers—[Laughter.] 273 —and I hope that there will be an equally free vote on the other side of the House, even for the Opposition Front Bench. If the decision is favourable we will proceed to implement it by means of further legislation. I hope that in these circumstances my hon. Friend will agree to withdraw his Bill, although we would be glad to have his assistance in working out the exact form of the scheme. My own view is that we should go for a high rate of profit, that some of that profit should go into general revenue, and that some should be earmarked for desirable but not essential objects of public expenditure.
§ I know that some Members of the House and some people in the country will find this idea repugnant. They may carry the day; but if they do not, I do not see why people who think otherwise should be prevented from contributing to the national finances in a way they may find a good deal less painful than some others. I need hardly tell the House, however, that we are not looking to this as a major way out of our difficulties. In the context of this Budget it is a very small item.