§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Vernons Pools about the sale of pools coupons through retail outlets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe managing director of Vernons Pools wrote to me earlier this month about the timing of the commencement of clause 56 of the National Lottery Etc., Bill which will remove the prohibition on the use of premises for the delivery of football pools coupons and stakes. In order to ensure that the national lottery is not disadvantaged, we intend to defer the commencement of clause 56—and indeed of the other provisions of part IV of the Bill—until the launch of the lottery.