HL Deb 12 November 1985 vol 468 cc137-9

2.50 p.m.

Lord Allen of Abbeydale

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they take the view that the decision of British Telecom to experiment with telephone bingo is in accordance with the public interest.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, this decision was a matter for the commercial judgment of British Telecom.

Lord Allen of Abbeydale

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord the Minister for that reply, which perhaps falls a little short of giving complete satisfaction. With newspaper bingo you at least get something to read for your money; but is not this experiment by British Telecom gambling, pure and simple? Is it not deplorable that this great undertaking after privatisation should go in for action which may not be strictly illegal—although I would not be too sure about that—but is certainly plainly contrary to the spirit of the Gaming Act 1968?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not think that the noble Lord is necessarily right. He referred to newspaper bingo, and as with telephone bingo it is not essential to make a payment to take part, and the courts have not found newspaper bingo illegal.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend at what point does this freedom to let other people make the decisions stop? Is it not incongruous that this communications industry and the newspapers should be free to advertise prizes for which the sky is the limit, are free from any advertising restrictions, and have no regulations to which to adhere, whereas the bona fide bingo clubs who serve a public need for people who are lonely have to be approved by the gaming board? They are restricted on advertising, and on the prizes they can give. Altogether should not the freedom be fairly distributed instead of being left to just one section, as the noble Lord's Answer seems to imply?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am aware that the gaming board will be discussing telephone bingo shortly, and no doubt they will take note of my noble friend's remarks.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, if the experiment is tried will British Telecom make sure that it gets the numbers right?

Lord Boothby

My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that it would be better for the public to play bingo on the telephone than to watch violence on the screen?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord is quite right in that.

Lord Shinwell

My Lords, in order that we should be fully enlightened in an important matter of this kind, can the Minister say whether this telephone bingo will be privatised or nationalised?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, British Telecom is already a private company. As the noble Lord will be aware, there are lots of other telephone numbers which can be rung for convenient information, including Challenge Line, which sets daily brain teasers. Unlike answers given at the Dispatch Box at Question Time, the answers are given the following day.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the broadcast by telephone of games of bingo was not contemplated when the telecommunications Bill was going through your Lordships' House? Can he state what funds are going to be available for the playing of bingo? Would he give the House an assurance that in future the principal aim of British Telecom should be that of reducing prices for its service to the consumer?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, as I said, this a matter for the commercial judgment of British Telecom. However, it seems to me that the scheme that they have devised is one which would stimulate more telephone calls, and no doubt that will do what the noble Lord wants.

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, in answer to an earlier question, I thought I heard the noble Lord the Minister say that the difference between newspaper bingo and telephone bingo was that there was no charge for telephone bingo. Can he advise the House how he makes a telephone call without paying a charge?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the charge is for the telephone call, not for taking part in the activity once one makes it.

Lord Diamond

My Lords, are the Government proud of the way in which the discretion permitted by having a private monopoly has been exercised by this company since it achieved it?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, with respect, that question goes rather wide of the Question on the Order Paper.