At this stage I want to express regret at the death of the father of the Public Hospitals Bill, the late Deputy Sir James Craig, who in face of great opposition took up the promotion of a Bill to permit sweepstakes. The name of Deputy Sir James Craig, and those associated with him, gave prestige to the project abroad, as a result of which the Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes have become the biggest thing in that line in the world. Imitations of the Irish Sweepstakes have been attempted and they have failed. The standing of the sweepstakes here is supreme. That being so, it is to be regretted that some of the discussions that took place on the Bill rather tended to create a certain amount of suspicion. I hope that is finished with now. The success of the Irish Sweepstakes is the envy of the world and we should not lend any support to anything that would encourage that suspicion. My real reason for intervening at this stage is to remind the House of a proposal that was made that housing should be included in the benefits of the Act. The proposal was not pressed, because those who were in favour of it believed that the hospitals which originally took the risk of going into this business were entitled to benefit. I hope the Minister for Local Government, and those responsible for the sweepstakes, will now devote some attention to the housing aspect so that it might be included in the benefits of the Act. Housing and hospitals are very closely allied. If the slums were abolished the work of the hospitals would be very much lighter. At the earliest possible opportunity the Minister should take advantage of the sweepstakes to provide cheap housing in order to have the slums done away with.
Public Business. - Public Hospitals Bill, 1933—Fifth Stage.
I am sorry I should have to intervene at this stage, but that is entirely owing to the remarks that fell from the last speaker. He suggested that the speeches in the debates on the Bill would be inclined to cast suspicion on the integrity of the sweepstakes. That can only be directed against me because, I think, I was the only person who made any suggestion in that respect. I wish to deny that my remarks were, in any way, directed against the sweepstakes, or against the manner in which they are conducted. I say now, as I said before, that I do not believe for a moment, if the full expenses were shown, and if the money now paid as commission was put as an outgoing on the opposite side of the account, that an increase of 3 or 4 per cent. would in any way affect the popularity of the sweepstakes. I think that would be a much more satisfactory transaction. I suggested that before, and I say it now again.