§ Mr. Gorstasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any representations from the amusement trades industry with regard to his selection of the day prior to their annual exhibition as the moment to announce changes in the new maximum prizes for amusement-with-prizes machines; why he has ignored requests for such announcements to be made at times which would not disrupt the industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesYes. I appreciate that the industry would have liked these changes to be made at an earlier date, but I regret that this was not possible. I have now made an order under the Gaming Act 1968 which would increase to £1, with a maximum cash element of 50p, the maximum value of the prizes permitted for amusements-with-prizes machines. The order is expressed to come into operation on 20th February and I hope to lay it on 23rd January.