§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the recent decisions of the Courts that certain traditional games at fairs and shows are illegal; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation for the purpose of legalising these harmless amusements.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have looked carefully into this matter since I answered the Question put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for the Horncastle Division of Lindsey (Mr. Haslam) on 16th May. I cannot find that any harmless and tradition game or amusement, such as darts or coconut shies, has been held of itself to be unlawful when carried on at a fair or show, unless it is so done in a hall or fair where real gambling machines (which are both illegal and undesirable) are in use, and in that event the illegality extends to the whole. My instructions to the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police are to prosecute in respect of real gambling machines, but only to do so in the case of darts, etc., if they are used for objectionable or unfair gambling.