7. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he proposes to take to bring the law governing use of the totalisator in Northern Ireland into line with that for the rest of the United Kingdom, and what he estimates would be the revenue effect of doing so.
§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Hugh Rossi)This matter is currently being considered as part of a general review of the law in Northern Ireland relating to all forms of betting, gaming and lotteries. Reliable estimates cannot be made of the revenue effects of possible changes in the law.
Mr. PowellWill the Minister seriously consider taking this single and separate matter by itself and dealing with, it promptly, since, without the use of any public money or the establishment of a board, it would enable those who are ready to do so to go ahead now?
§ Mr. RossiThe difficulty of proceeding with the legalisation of totalisators in advance of completing a general review is that most of the matters which are the subject of the review are regarded by those directly concerned as being equally pressing. Therefore, I do not consider it right to single out one particular item, for priority treatment.
§ Mr. AbseIf laws are to be aligned, why should not priority be given to laws relating to fundamental human rights, such as homosexuality, abortion, and fundamental canons of the criminal law such as conspiracy? Why should this appallingly subsidised Province, at its own whim—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman should put a question on the Order Paper. This question is about the totalisator. It is unfair to try to get another question in which is unrelated to that subject.