§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which London borough councils in the docklands area he consulted before issuing his proposals published on 12 November for modifications of gambling legislation in selected areas in England and Wales; and what additional statutory provisions relating to defining the selected areas and specifying the regulations applying to them he plans when implementing these proposals. [4703]
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§ Mr. KirkhopeOur first consultation paper on casinos, published in February 1996, did not propose casino permitted area status for docklands.
We subsequently added them to the proposed list in our second consultation paper in the light of representations from the London borough of Tower Hamlets and other local interests.
We have sought views on our fresh proposals from relevant local authorities including the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham, and have sent a copy to Southwark.
We will reach final decisions on the choice of new permitted areas and the statutory provisions after the consultation period finishes on 31 January.