§ 5. Gregory Barker (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)What plans she has to present a Bill to Parliament in this Session to reform gambling legislation. [166144]
§ The Minister for Sport and Tourism (Mr. Richard Caborn)We plan to introduce such a Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows. The Bill will modernise the law and provide stronger safeguards. We are considering the report of the Joint Committee that considered our draft Bill. It made 139 recommendations and we will consider each carefully.
§ Gregory BarkerThe Joint Committee's report called for the Government to act quickly. The industry expects a Bill to be introduced this summer. Will the Minister 9 grip this legislation and introduce it before we rise for the summer recess? Given the jobs and investment at stake, will he consider in particular the Committee's recommendations on family-friendly seaside amusement arcades?
§ Mr. CabornI assure the hon. Gentleman that I have been gripping the Bill for a considerable time. I agree wholeheartedly that it is very important, but the Department cannot determine what the procedure will be in the House. I acknowledge that this legislation, alongside the reform of licensing, is very important to industries such as tourism, in which I know that he has an interest. Tourism is a £76 billion industry, representing just under 5 per cent. of gross domestic product, so it is important to modernise the legislation so that the industry can respond to the calls on its competitiveness and productivity, which are low by international standards. I acknowledge the urgency and give an assurance that we will do our best to fit this in the parliamentary timetable.
§ Mrs. Joan Humble (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood) (Lab)My right hon. Friend will be aware that Blackpool eagerly awaits his answer on this issue. In moving as quickly as possible to introduce the Bill, will he liaise with colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to consider planning powers at both regional and local level, so that the opportunities for economic regeneration can be taken in the most effective and efficient manner?
§ Mr. CabornWe have had an excellent dialogue with the ODPM, and have moved on from the Budd recommendations, which were the foundation of the Bill. We have consulted on planning powers at regional level and special category status to achieve the objective to which my hon. Friend refers, to use gambling as a major regeneration tool. I know that this is being considered carefully in Blackpool. We will work with the ODPM to enact the Bill as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD)Will the Minister ensure that full consideration is given to the concern of the British Amusement Catering Trades Association and other organisations representing seaside and other amusement organisers and businesses—often family owned—that the Bill moves too quickly and will place them at a competitive disadvantage?
§ Mr. CabornIf any section of the gambling industry has had the greatest access to Ministers, it is the family and amusement arcade sector. The recommendations of the Budd report, which provided the foundations of the Bill, and progress made on the Bill to date, show that the greatest concessions have been made to that sector of the industry. I hope that what we have done, particularly on category D machines, will reassure that sector of the industry and ensure that it has a long-term future. Rather than having further consultations, the quicker the Bill becomes an Act, the better for the sector.
§ Mr. David Drew (Stroud) (Lab/Co-op)Does my right hon. Friend accept that not all Labour Members support the drive towards the liberalisation of gambling, and that it is vital for him to talk to those who do not 10 want that advance, particularly those who are aware of the serious addiction problems caused by gambling? When the Bill is introduced, will the House have a proper opportunity for a full debate on how best to prevent others from becoming addicted to gambling?
§ Mr. CabornQuestion 8 specifically deals with social responsibilities, so that will be answered in greater detail later. We have undertaken wide consultation on that matter, and I believe that the concerns of the broader society are reflected in the Bill, whose safeguards will be adequate to deal with the problem.