CAB23-58 — Page 106

LEU

SU

THE RACECOURSE BETTING BILL.

(Previous

Reference: Cabinet 36 (28), Con-

clusion 6.)

104

1.The Cabinet had before them a letter from

Lord Hamilton of Dalzell, dated July 6, 1928,

circulated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(Paper C.P.-219 (28)), appealing to Mr Churchill,

as the Minister who gave the promise of "facilities"

last Autumn, to see that the Bill is not wrecked

in the House of Commons,

The Cabinet were reminded that in the

previous Autumn a statement had been made on

behalf of the Government in the House of Commons

to the effect that if the House of Commons passed

the Second Reading of the Racecourse Betting Bill

facilities would be given. They were further

reminded of the following decision which they

themselves had taken on June 27th:-

"That, subject to it being found

possible to obtain the necessary Parliamentary time, facilities should be given for the passage of the Racecourse Betting Bill and the Whips should be put on".

(Cabinet 35 (28) Conclusion 8.)

The Cabinet were informed that the Chancellor of

the Exchequer had notified this decision to the

Promoters of the Bill.

In these circumstances the Cabinet felt

that there was no alternative but to grant

facilities.

They were reminded, however, that

the time table of the House of Commons was already

very full and that if the Racecourse Betting Bill

were to be pushed through it might even result in

a prolongation of the Session, which was generally

agreed to be undesirable.

The suggestion was made that the Promoters

of the Bill should be offered one day of Parlia-

mentary time in addition to an all-night Sitting,

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