HC Deb 09 July 1984 vol 63 cc790-1
Mr. Bermingham

I beg to move amendment No. 25, in page 10, line 24, at end insert—

  1. `(e) that any games of chance, lotteries, football pools, betting, bingo, newspaper or other prize competitions be not permitted whether or not they require a payment in order to participate, except for competitions involving studio audience participation.'

Mr. Speaker

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments:No. 27, in clause 11, page 10, line 40, at end insert—

  1. (d) as to rules and practices governing the playing of all games of chance, lotteries, football pools, betting, bingo, newspaper or other prize competitions, whether or not they require a payment in order to participate. '.

No. 101, in clause 38, page 34, line 2, at end insert— `(3) the IBA shall not permit the use of DBS services for any games of chance, lotteries, football pools, betting, bingo, newspaper or other prize competitions whether or not they require a payment in order to participate, except for competitions involving studio audience participation.'

Mr. Bermingham

We are worried about the growing habit of conducting bingo games through various national newspapers. There is the £1 million lottery game and The Times has introduced its share competition and issued little pieces of plastic. We are worried that such competitions will become the daily fare of cable television.

Mr. Eric Forth (Mid-Worcestershire)

So what?

Mr. Bermingham

This might cause people to spend much of their time in the evening waiting for the next bingo number to appear. It could be arranged for the number to appear at 9.15 or 9.30 in the evening in the middle of an advertisement, and people would stay at home so that they might see the number and telephone the company to claim their prize.

Mr. Forth

So what?

Mr. Bermingham

The hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) is being his usual intellectual and eloquent self in continuing to say "So what?". If he had taken part in our discussions prior to his recent appearance in the Chamber he would realise that many of us are aware that there are other forms of entertainment, such as football matches, theatres, bingo halls and cinemas, which provide employment and offer considerable enjoyment. If viewers know that there is a chance that their number will appear, provided that they are watching cable television between 9.17 and 9.19 in the evening, for example, and that they might win a prize if they telephone the company at the appropriate time, there will be an incentive for them to remain at home.

These fears are echoed throughout the Labour party and in many non-political groups. It seems reasonable that when cable television comes to fruition it should provide entertainment. It should not be a form of gambling. If people want to gamble, there are appropriate places for it. Whereas one would not object to a show with audience participation—the sort of quiz that we now have on BBC and ITV—one would very much object to the medium of cable being used for lotteries an gaming. There would be loss of revenue to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but apart from that the whole ethos of gambling would be developed in that way, and it would not be in the interests of society generally. Therefore, we ask the Government again to accept the spirit and intention behind the amendments.

It being Ten o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.