§ Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to control the number of betting shops in their areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe purpose of the existing law, which follows recommendations of the 1951 Royal Commission, is to provide lawful outlets for cash betting sufficient to match requirements in each licensing area. To empower local authorities to restrict the number of betting offices on considerations other than demand might cause a resurgence of illegal betting. While my right hon. Friend will keep the matter under review he is not at present persuaded that the advantages would be sufficient to outweigh that risk.