§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Attorney-General what discussions have taken place between the Crown Prosecution Service and the organisers of the proposed lottery for the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe National Health Lottery scheme was first referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions by the Gaming Board of Great Britain on 16 May on the basis that the proposed scheme appeared to contravene the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. The Director obtained counsel's opinion and formed the view that the operation of the scheme would result in the commission of offences under the 1976 Act. Letters were written on 23 and 24 May to the company responsible for running the lottery, the latter indicating that the Director would request police inquiries if the lottery draw took place, and on 26 May to the company's solicitors stating which provisions of the 1976 Act the Director considered would be contravened. There has been no meeting between the Director's staff and the company, or its solicitors, to discuss the proposed lottery.