§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the mailing of lottery tickets to United Kingdom residents and if he has any plans(a) to prohibit participation by British citizens in such lotteries or (b) to permit the promoters of British lotteries to compete on equal terms.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe promotion or conduct of public foreign lotteries in Great Britain is unlawful under the 203W Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. In breach of that Act, invitations to participate in a number of such lotteries have been mailed to addresses here. Between 1 January and 30 October 1989 inclusive, three hon. Members have asked us questions related to this postal activity, and we have received 11 letters from hon. Members and 10 from organisations or members of the public about it. These representations have variously complained about this unlawful activity, or suggested that its continuance might argue for the introduction of domestic, major lotteries. We are taking steps to deal with this postal activity.
We do not propose that it should become an offence to participate in a foreign lottery. We keep the arguments for amending our law to allow domestic major lotteries under consideration.