Lords Sitting of 7 February 1893

Preamble
Several Lords took the Oath.
VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS AT DEVIZES.

  QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS.
  THE BISHOP OF SALISBURYasked the Lord President of the Council, in reference to the voluntary schools at Devizes, what was the nature of the information desired by the Education Department which had not been obtained by Her Majesty's Inspector Mr. Brodie's recent visit to that place, and if he could state when the Department would be able to answer the offer of the Devizes Day School Association to supply any deficiency of accommodation that might be found to exist upon the closing of the British schools? He desired to explain in a few words the reasons for making this request. Devizes comprised about 7,000 inhabitants with the usual variety of schools, including one Roman Catholic and, until lately, one British school. The last named was a good school, with a needlessly expensive staff, and an attendance of 300 scholars. In November last it was resolved to close the school at the end of February. As soon as possible the managers of the other schools formed themselves into a Day School Association and declared themselves ready to supply any deficiency that might occur. The managers of the British School openly and avowedly determined to close it in the hope that a School Board might be forced upon the town. Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools for the district had expressed his approval of that course, and the Association had called the attention of the Department to so strange a proceeding, in the hope that it might receive the censure it seemed to call for, and he received something like a reprimand for having entered into the arena in this matter. Since that time the Association had been endeavouring, to ascertain whether their offer to supply the deficiency would be accepted. Another Inspector, Mr. Brodie, had been sent down to make inquiry and report upon the circumstances of the case, and us to what was necessary to be done. Of
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  the contents of the Report the Association had been kept in ignorance; and he therefore begged to ask the question which stood in his name.
  THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE OF INDIA (The Earl of Kimberley): My Lords the Department desire to obtain perfectly accurate information as to the deficiency which may exist in the school accommodation at Devizes, and with that view they have requested the School Attendance Committee of the Town Council to take a census of children of school age in the borough. They do not feel able to give an answer to those who propose to supply the deficiency until they have acquired the information they desire. I am not able to tell the right rev. Prelate how soon that information will be obtained, but that will depend upon the Committee, which I trust will soon be in a position to furnish it.
  THE BISHOP OF SALISBURYasked what was to be done with the 359 children who would be turned out of the school on the 28th February next.
  THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: If the right rev. Prelate will give notice of his question I will endeavour to answer it.

TRANSMISSION OF LOTTERY CIRCULARS BY POST.

  QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS.
  LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYasked the Lord Chancellor if it is the fact that the General Post Office has no power to prevent the transmission through the post of foreign lottery advertisements; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will obtain the power by legislation? He said many of their Lordships would no doubt have noticed the great number of letters coming from Germany with advertisements of lotteries—in short, what might be called "gambling at home." In 1891, the late Sir George Campbell put a question in another place as to whether this was not illegal, and the Home Secretary, Sir Henry Matthews, informed him that he was advised the Post Office had no power to stop them. Printed matter that was illegal under Lord Campbell's Act could be intercepted by the Post Office, which would have power to prosecute the senders under an Act of 1870. He would

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  ask the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack whether lottery advertisements when sent open through the Post Office could not be detained, for at the date the Home Secretary gave the answer he had referred to these advertisements were sent in closed envelopes.
  THE LORD CHANCELLOR(Lord HERSCHELL): My Lords, certain Acts were passed many years ago dealing with the publication of proposals relating to foreign lotteries, and the printing and publication of advertisements of such lotteries. They were not passed with any idea of putting down lotteries, but I believe with the object, at all events as regards the earlier Acts, of protecting British lotteries against the competition of foreign lotteries. At that time it was not an uncommon thing to raise money in this country by means of lotteries; but although the Acts were passed with the object I have stated, they are still on the Statute Book, and it is still illegal to print or publish an advertisement of any such lottery. That being the case, it may be that, under the Post Office Act, 1875, it would be competent for the Treasury by warrant to direct that these foreign lottery advertisements, when they are sent open through the Post Office, should be detained and not forwarded to their destinations in this country, as indecent or improper advertisements are detained. Although it might be perfectly competent to give a direction of that sort, it is obvious that if there was nothing on the envelopes or covers to indicate what the enclosures were, it would be necessary to institute some amount of search on the part of the Post Office to find out that those advertisements were within them; and if such directions were given it is manifest that the senders might take the precaution of not putting anything outside that would indicate what the contents were. That raises the consideration whether it is worth while to stop the sending of advertisements in that way, and to undertake the trouble and inconvenience it would involve. Possibly, if it would stop the sending of these advertisements altogether, it might be worth while to make the effort, but this would only relate to advertisements sent in open covers. If the advertisements were sent as closed letters an entirely fresh difficulty would arise. I do not think it
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  would be possible to give directions for the opening of letters, and therefore by sending closed letters the effect of a warrant could be got rid of. It seems, therefore, very doubtful whether any advantage could be gained by issuing such a warrant at present. However, I will consider whether any practical step can be taken to stop the sending of these advertisements altogether.

  TRUSTEE (CONSOLIDATION) BILL [H.L.] (NO. 10.)
  A Bill to consolidate enactments relating to trustees; and

  ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES (CONSOLIDTION) BILL [H.L.] (No. 11.)
  A Bill to consolidate enactments relating to the administration of the estates of deceased persons.
  Were presented by the Lord Chancellor, read 1a;and to be printed.
  Several Lords—Took the Oath.
  House adjourned at twenty minutes before Five o'clock, to Thursday next, a quarter past Ten o'clock.