§ 2.35 p.m.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if, in view of the difficulty of enforcing the law relating to street betting and the strain upon the police forces of the country in attempting to enforce it, they will introduce legislation in the next Session of Parliament to repeal the Act.]
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, the possibility of repealing the Street Betting Act, 1906, was considered by the Royal Commission on Betting, Lotteries and Gaming, 1949–51. The Royal Commission recommended against it, because they did not think it would be desirable to remove all restraint on bookmakers plying their trade in the streets.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, is the Minister aware that when the Act passed through another place some fifty years ago members of the Conservative Party objected to it on the ground that it was a class measure. It prevented the working man from putting on a shilling bet, when a rich man could bet by cheque, and it was felt that it would lead to widespread evasion and might also lead to police corruption. If the Act were repealed it would be unlikely to add to the volume of gambling, because it goes on now in the street.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, clearly I am not personally aware of what happened fifty years ago; but I am certainly aware that the situation leaves a good deal to be desired at the present time; and, indeed, that fact has been recognised by Her Majesty's Government rather more recently than fifty years ago.