24. Mr. Dormaiidasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of the issues raised by suggestions for amendment of the law to allow the promotion of lotteries for charitable and other purposes, in view of the decision of the House of Lords in the case of SingetteversusMartin ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleMy right hon. Friend hopes to complete this in the course of next year.
§ Mr. DormandWhen the review is completed, will the Secretary of State consider the institution of a Government lottery for cancer research? Would not there be widespread support for such a proposal to provide the funds sorely needed to rid mankind of its last undefeated scourge?
§ Mr. CarlisleOne reason for setting up the review is the demand for national lotteries, local authority lotteries, for charities to run lotteries and for newspapers to run spot-the-ball competitions. All these matters have to be looked at together, and my right hon. Friend can take a decision only when he has considered the result of the review.