HC Deb 23 February 1970 vol 796 cc245-6W
Mr. Lubbock

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions were instituted as a result of test betting procedures in the years 1967, 1968 and 1969, respectively; and what was the proportion of prosecutions to bets placed in each of those years.

Mr. Taverne

The information is as follows:

Number of prosecutions* Number of bets made
1967 120 67,697
1968 242 139,293
1969 237 98,286
* This figure represents the total number of prosecutions in connection with the general betting duty. All but a few resulted from test betting.

Mr. Lubbock

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he will not disclose details of test betting procedures.

Mr. Taverne

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but it would not be in the revenue interest to disclose details of the procedures which might enable test bets to be identified as such by the bookmakers concerned.