§ 2.47 p.m.
§ Lord NEWALLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why foreigners are permitted to own gaming operations in the United Kingdom so that the benefits accrue abroad rather than to this country.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government do not think it practicable to impose such restrictions on gaming as are implied in this Question. It is, however, important that effective control of gaming remains firmly in the country, and the Gaming Board for Great Britain exercises its responsibilities under the Gaming Act 1968 to this end.
§ Lord NEWALLMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. May I further ask whether he is aware that in many cases licences have been withdrawn from clubs with foreign interests, particularly American ones, and is he therefore sure that the Gaming Board has adequate powers to deal with situations like this?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, my information is that the Gaming Board does have sufficient powers to deal with the situation.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that some of these gaming operations are part of one of the most unscrupulous multi-national rackets in the whole of the world, exploiting tourist resorts in many parts? Will the Board look carefully at its finances to be sure that we are securing the correct revenue from them?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, the Government's view is that the gaming industry must be treated on a par with the rest of industry, which increasingly operates on an international basis. We shall take into account what the noble Lord has said, and if it is necessary to pursue inquiries along the lines he suggests, no doubt they will be pursued.
§ Earl COWLEYMy Lords, would the noble Lord say what criteria the Gaming Board uses in deciding whether foreign money is acceptable in our gaming clubs?
§ Several Noble Lords: Answer!
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I am sorry but I did not follow the noble Earl's question.
§ Earl COWLEYMy Lords, I asked whether the criteria used by the Gaming Board are laid down by Statute when deciding whether foreign money is acceptable in our gaming clubs.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, my understanding of the situation is that the authority is set out in the Gaming Act 1968. I cannot give the noble Earl details for the simple reason that I do not have them, but I understand that this is where the authority is to be found.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, can Her Majesty's Government state categorically that British applicants for gaming licences are given priority, and if not, why not?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I have no information at all with regard to that, but if this is so, it is a matter that ought to be looked into and the Gaming Board will, I am sure, do so.