27. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing andLocal Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what powers he intends to give local authorities to exercise planning jurisdiction with re- 796 gard to the number of betting offices in their areas.
§ Mr. CorfieldNone, Sir. It is for the licensing justices to exercise any necessary control over the number of betting offices in their area.
Mrs. ButlerIs the Minister aware that many local authorities are very alarmed at the growing number of betting offices and their lack of planning powers to control them?Since the Minister has rejected the instrument of the Use Classes Order as inappropriate for this purpose, would he discuss with local authorities their difficulties in this respect, and give them proper planning powers?
§ Mr. CorfieldThe provisions of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act make it clear that justices can refuse a licence on the ground that the grant would be inexpedient having regard to the demand for the time being in the locality for the facilities afforded by the betting office. This is the function of the licensing justices, and it is not part of the planning authorities' function to duplicate that of the licensing justices.