§ Moved that the Bill be now read 3a.
§ Lord Monteaglesaid, he wished to have a clause inserted which should provide for and insist upon the enforcement of the law with regard to the publication of notices in newspapers relative to foreign lotteries. As all newspapers and periodicals came under the inspection of the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes, he was of opinion that that body should be entrusted with the enforcement of the law in this respect, and he should propose the insertion of some such clause as the following:
Be it enacted, that whenever it shall appear to the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes, from the inspection of newspapers and periodicals, that there has been inserted any advertisement or notice of foreign lotteries, they shall take the necessary proceedings to enforce the law.Though he wished, however, to have a clause inserted, he should be satisfied if the noble Lord would give him an assurance that the law was to be enforced, and that these great frauds and nuisances should be put down by the strong hand of the law.
Lord Stanleyassured the noble Lord that it was not intended that the law should become a dead letter in this respect. He did not think it would be necessary to introduce a clause; but he would take care that such instructions should be given as should secure the enforcement of the law to its fullest extent.
§ Bill read 3a.