HC Deb 27 July 1976 vol 916 cc550-2
Mr. Rifkind

I beg to move Amendment No. 75, in page 62, line 37, at end insert 'save only that nothing in this Act shall prohibit the offering of alcoholic liquor as a prize in premises with an entertainment licence where prize bingo is operated under the provisions of the Gaming Act 1968'. A similar amendment was considered in Committee and the Minister advised the Committee to reject it on the ground that if it were accepted it would result in enormous gains being obtained by bingo winners at such establishments. He cited terrifying examples of persons who, having won large sums of money in the form of vouchers, exchanged them for huge supplies of alcoholic liquor and left the premises in an undesirable fashion.

Since that debate, the Minister has received a letter—a copy of which has been sent to me—from the British Bingo Association, in which it is pointed out that the Minister—unwittingly no doubt—misled the Committee. The association states, first, that where prize bingo is being played the prizes have a value varying from 40p to 100p—not the high value suggested by the Minister. Secondly, under the Gaming Act 1968, the prizes are limited per person to 10p and the aggregate amount that can be taken way by the sale of chances in any one determination of winners is limited to a total of £5. The maximum value is, therefore, exceedingly small. Thirdly, the maximum number of participants is usually 50 and the game is played upon special fixed positions in a small area of the club. The game is, therefore, of a much more limited nature than the Minister suggested in his alarming speech in Committee, and I hope that he will reconsider the answer he gave.

Vouchers of relatively small value are exchanged for miniature bottles of alcoholic liquor. The problems suggested by the Minister do not arise, and on that basis I hope that he will reconsider what he said in Committee and, if he is not able to accept the amendment, at least give an assurance that the Government will consider the matter and determine speedily whether an amendment might be appropriately put forward.

Mr. Harry Ewing

It is true, as the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) said, that in our debate in Committee, because of the rather sheltered life I lead, I was not clear about the difference between prize bingo and bingo, but I am bound to point out that the hon. Member, advised by the association and bingo caller to the Committee, was not able to keep me right. It is pleasant to hear him read out with great confidence the letter we have obviously both been sent. On the basis of the information received it would be proper for me to have another look at this.

Mr. Rifkind

On that basis, I am prepared to withdraw the amendment. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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