§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any inquiry is made from applicants for bookmakers' certificates whether such applicant carries on his or her business legally or illegally?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLUnder Section 15 (1) (b) of the Finance Act a bookmaker's certificate must be taken out, annually by a person carrying on the business of a bookmaker and the definition of bookmaker (Section 18 (1)) makes no discrimination as between a legal or illegal bookmaker. The certificate, which is issued to any person who completes the prescribed form of application and pays the licence duty of £10, hears the words "No Government Guarantee" and bookmakers have been warned by Public Notice that "the issue of a certificate to a bookmaker involves no change in his legal standing and affords no defence in any prosecution taken under the general law of the country relating to betting."