§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect the evening opening of betting shops will have on the level of gambling in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo such assessment has yet been made. The effect of evening opening of licensed betting offices on levels of gambling is one of the matters on which the recent Home Office consultation document invited views from interested parties. Evidence received about the effect on levels of gambling will be one of the factors taken into account in the Government's further consideration of whether to allow evening opening.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on gambling as it relates to horse racing and greyhound racing.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIt is Government policy on gambling, including betting on horseracing and greyhound racing, that it should be subject to statutory control to ensure that it is conducted honestly and fairly, and that gambling should not be positively encouraged.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Home Office began its review of section 19 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963; and how long he expects the review to take.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe review has not yet begun. It will be undertaken as quickly as possible, but the issues are complex and it is not clear at this stage how long it will take to complete.