§ Wing Commander Bullusasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that certain London bookmaking firms make a practice of inserting advertisements in the sporting and national Press, inviting clients to post letter bets, enclosing stake money, to addresses in Scotland, usually in Glasgow; that this practice, which is increasing, is illegal; and what steps he will take, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland, to end the practice, pending the introduction of comprehensive betting legislation.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeAs my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State announced in the House on the 9th March, comprehensive legislation is being prepared to implement the main recommendations of the Royal Commission on Betting, Lotteries and Gaming, 191W including one that postal cash betting off the course with a registered bookmaker should be permitted. In the meantime, the questions whether there has been a breach of the existing law in a particular case and, if so, whether proceedings should be instituted are not matters for which my right hon. Friend and I are responsible.