HC Deb 11 November 1997 vol 300 cc459-60W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the regulation of advertising by the casino industry. [14917]

Mr. George Howarth

Under section 42 of the Gaming Act 1968, casinos may not advertise their location or facilities.

We are considering the proposals for partial relaxation of the ban on advertising set out in the November 1996 consultation paper "Second Consultation on Casino Deregulation". We will announce the outcome of our consideration in due course.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the expansion of the casino industry into other geographical areas in the United Kingdom. [14918]

Mr. George Howarth

Regulations made under the Gaming Act 1968 confine the licensing of casinos to 53 permitted areas in Great Britain; 116 casinos were operating there on 31 March 1997.

The previous Government consulted on proposals to designate additional permitted areas. We are considering whether new permitted areas are desirable in principle. We will make our conclusions known in due course.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the level of trade union organisation in the casino industry. [14916]

Mr. George Howarth

The Government have no separate figures on trade union organisation or membership in the casino industry.