HC Deb 10 April 1987 vol 114 cc430-1W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the result of the representations which his Department made to the West German authorities regarding the literature sent by the West German state lottery to the hon. Member for Southend, East and to other British citizens inviting them to participate in an illegal lottery designed to provide funds for the West German Government, details of which were supplied to the Home Secretary and the Minister for Consumer Affairs in February; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Following representations made by the British Consulate General in Hamburg, the authorities who run the North West German lottery on behalf of the six states in the Federal Republic of Germany have instructed all agencies involved in promoting the lottery to take note of the relevant parts of the Lotteries and Amusements Act of 1976.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will invite the European Economic Community Commission to determine whether member states are empowered to prevent the distribution of lottery tickets being issued by member states in the same way as they can take action against such materials being issued by non-European Economic Community Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

No. The terms of the Lotteries and Amusements Act of 1976 apply equally to lotteries promoted in European Community member states and in other countries.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will invite the Government of West Germany to return to the United Kingdom all payments made by United Kingdom residents in response to invitations sent by the West German state lottery to United Kingdom citizens asking for contributions to their official lottery; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

No. The lottery is the responsibility of states' governments rather than the Federal Government.