§ David HamiltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research her Department undertook into the risk of an increase in problem gambling before it published "A Safe Bet for Success". [59809]
§ Mr. CabornThe available research evidence was set out in the report of the Gambling Review Body (Cm 5256).
§ David HamiltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings her Department held with groups working with problem gamblers before the publication of "A Safe Bet for Success". [59810]
§ Mr. CabornWe held one meeting on problem gambling issues which was attended by 11 people who either represented bodies working with or researching problem gamblers or were themselves expert practitioners. We held a further meeting with GamCare.
§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultation her Department had with groups working with problem gamblers before the publication of "A Safe Bet for Success". [59722]
§ Mr. CabornWe received and considered submissions on the report of the Gambling Review Body from 12 bodies working with or expressing concerns on behalf of problem gamblers, including GamCare, the Centre for Research into the social impact of gambling, the Methodist church and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures her Department have taken to ensure that gambling deregulation does not lead to an increase in(a) problem gambling and (b) organised criminal activity. [59865]
§ Mr. CabornI refer my hon. Friend to the measures set out in paragraphs 10.22 and 10.23–10.27 of "A Safe Bet for Success" (Cm 5397), which deal respectively with crime and problem gambling. The proposed Gambling Commission will have greater powers than are currently available to the Gaming Board to vet the suitability of applicants for personal and operating licences; and it will also regulate bookmaking and other sectors of gambling which are currently outside the board's remit. We have emphasised to the gambling industry the importance of supporting the new charitable trust which will fund work to prevent and treat problem gambling; and the trust is this week inviting tenders for work to develop effective strategies for the delivery of research, education and support services.
1014W
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Barnsley West and Penistone, of 13 May 2002,Official Report, column 411W, on gaming machines, when she will introduce legislation to implement the Government's decisions on the recommendations in the Budd report. [59755]
§ Mr. CabornWe shall bring forward a Bill when parliamentary time allows. So far as decisions which do not require primary legislation are concerned, I refer the honourable Member to the reply I gave to the honourable Member for South Suffolk on 10 April 2002 [Official Report, Col 326–327W].