§ Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now concluded his examination of matters pertaining to legislation on betting and lotteries; and whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's intentions regarding the introduction of new legislation.
§ Mr. R. A. Butler:I am not yet in a position to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 28th March.
§ Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether, in his proposed legislation dealing with betting and lotteries, he will ensure that any betting duty or tax will be fairly and evenly distributed upon all types of betting and gambling, and not single out any one type of betting for more favourable or unfavourable treatment than another;
(2) whether, in his proposed legislation dealing with betting and lotteries, he will consider taking the necessary action to remove the present discriminatory 10 per cent. betting duty on totalisators at greyhound racing tracks.
§ Mr. R. A. Butler:Legislation to implement the main recommendations of the Royal Commission on Betting, Lotteries and Gaming, 1949–51, would not cover betting duty, which would be the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an assurance that in framing comprehensive legislation on betting and gambling the Government will consider making it legal for small lotteries, such as sweepstakes, to be held on licensed premises.
§ Mr. R. A. Butler:This is one of the matters which will receive consideration.