§ Mr. Naylorasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the practice now prevailing in certain pin-table saloons in South London of offering prizes comprising various household commodities, or coupon vouchers entitling the bearer to goods of a certain cash value, obtainable only at shops named in a list supplied; and, in view of the inducement to gamble thus offered to married women on their way to market, with its inevitable loss to the larger number, and the consequent interference with legitimate trade, will he take steps to put an end to the practice before it becomes more general?
§ Sir S. HoareI am aware that prizes of the kind mentioned are offered, but the question whether there has been any breach of the laws relating to lotteries, gaming, or betting, depends upon other considerations than the nature of the prize offered. The Commissioner of Police informs me that action is taken in respect of breaches of the law when the element of betting or gaming is more than trivial, irrespective of the nature of the prize offered. Since the 1st January, 1939, criminal proceedings have been instituted in 39 such cases in the Metropolitan Police district