Public Charitable Hospitals (Amendment) Act, 1931

Shares of promoting hospitals in proceeds of sweepstakes.

5.—(1) In this section and in the next following section the expression “the available surplus” means the balance of the moneys received from the sale of tickets in the sweepstake in relation to which the expression is used remaining after paying or providing for the prizes distributed in such sweepstake and the expenses incurred in holding such sweepstake.

(2) The available surplus in any sweepstake held under the Principal Act shall not be less than twenty per cent of the moneys received from the sale of tickets in such sweepstake.

(3) Where a sweepstake held under the Principal Act is so held by the governing body of one hospital only, two-thirds of the available surplus in such sweepstake shall be paid to such governing body.

(4) Where a sweepstake held under the Principal Act is so held by the governing bodies of two or more hospitals the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—

(a) two-thirds of the available surplus in such sweepstake shall be divided between and paid to such governing bodies or such one or more of them exclusive of the other or others and in such proportions as the Minister shall direct having regard to the needs and circumstances of such hospitals respectively;

(b) the committee of reference appointed under this Act for the purposes of such sweepstake shall, when requested by the Minister so to do and after consultation with the committee managing such sweepstake, report to the Minister as to the proportions in which the said two-thirds of such available surplus should be divided under this sub-section between the governing bodies concerned and the reasons for the adoption of such proportions;

(c) for the purpose of making the report to the Minister under the foregoing paragraph of this section, such committee of reference may visit all or any of the premises of any such hospitals and shall be entitled to inspect and examine such premises and the fittings and equipment thereof, and shall also be entitled to call for and be furnished with full information in relation to the management and the financial position of any such hospital and to see and examine all accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the governing body of any such hospital and also all or any books and other documents containing any record of such receipts or expenditure;

(d) the Minister shall not determine the proportion in which such two-thirds is to be divided until he has received the report of such committee of reference in relation thereto and in determining such proportions the Minister shall have regard to but shall not be bound by such report;

(e) before determining the said proportions, the Minister shall consult with the Minister for Local Government and Public Health in regard thereto.