§ LORD LYTTELTON, after expressing an opinion that the lotteries called racing "sweeps," held at public-houses all over the country were illegal, asked whether the Government meant to adopt any measure for their prevention?
The EARL of EGLINTOUNdeprecated interference with this subject on the part of the Government. Why have one rule for public-houses and another for clubhouses? Horse-racing might be termed the national amusement of England, and it would be hard to prevent the humbler classes from interesting themselves in a 1201 sport which obtained direct encouragement from the Government. After all, the evils arising from "sweeps" were much exaggerated.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEwas not prepared to announce the intention of the Government to take any proceedings upon the subject.
§ House adjourned.