HC Deb 12 February 1970 vol 795 cc1422-3
2. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a further statement about the Government's policy with regard to casinos and gaming.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. James Callaghan)

I understand that the Gaming Board has so far issued 145 certificates of consent for general gaming in clubs; the total granted to clubs applying for licences for the year beginning 1st July, 1970, is likely to be about 170. The Gaming Act, 1968, is having the effect Parliament intended of reducing substantially the number of gaming clubs.

Mr. Davidson

Was it not that sloppily drawn-up legislation, passed by the party opposite when they were in office, which permitted hundreds of gaming clubs to open in this country, many of which had close connections with organised crime? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Will my right hon. Friend continue his policy of ruthlessly cutting down the numbers and thereby maintaining law and order in a manner which the party opposite was clearly incapable of doing when in office?

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, Sir. There were attempts by foreign influences to take over many gaming clubs which had become so profitable under the regime of the party opposite. There was a considerable growth of criminal elements, including foreigners coming here to run these clubs, but the Act has repaired a lot of the damage of the potential criminality as well as excessive gambling left behind by the party opposite.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Carlisle

May I reduce the temperature a little? Would the Home Secretary agree that a real problem arises in regard to small bridge clubs? Will he consider some relaxation in the provisions whereby they have to pay the same licence fee as casinos—£1,000—and are classed as casinos in which there is hard gaming? Will he consider the possibility of late applications from these clubs.

Mr. Callaghan

I think a number of these clubs will be able to organise their affairs in such a way as to avoid the contingency to which the hon. Member referred. I hope advice will be given to them by the Gaming Board in relation to this matter, but the content of this Act was not concerned with these clubs. It was very much concerned with preventing the growth of organised crime, and it is succeeding in doing so.