HC Deb 17 February 1998 vol 306 cc534-6W
Mr. Berry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he received from(a) BACTA, (b) Littlewoods, (c) Camelot and (d) Scottish and Newcastle between 2 May 1997 and 17 November 1997 in respect of on-line lotteries. [29837]

Mr. George Howarth

During the period in question, I received letters from the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), and Camelot and met them to discuss various gambling issues, including on-line lotteries.

BACTA expressed the view that it would be undesirable for rapid draw on-line lotteries to be played in liquor licensed premises. Camelot was concerned that such games should not be introduced without research into their likely effects.

We did not receive any representations from Littlewoods or Scottish and Newcastle on this subject. I met Scottish and Newcastle's trade association, the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice he has received from the Gaming Board on(a) the legality and (b) the desirability of on-line lottery draws; and if he will place a copy of the advice in the Library; [29996]

(2) on what date he first received advice from the Gaming Board in respect of on-line lotteries. [29999]

Mr. George Howarth

The Chairman of the Gaming Board wrote to me on 16 May 1997.

The Board set out its concerns about on-line lottery games fully in its Annual Report for 1996–97, which was presented to Parliament on 11 July 1997.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned in respect of on-line lottery draws; [29993]

(2) on what date his Department received advice from Dr. Sue Fisher on the possible impact of Pronto; [29997]

(3) on which date his Department received advice from Dr. Sue Fisher on the possible social impact of Pronto. [29836]

Mr. George Howarth

The Home Office has not commissioned or undertaken research on on-line lottery draws.

Following informal discussion, Dr. Sue Fisher was invited to submit a paper on the possible social impact of Pronto, which was received on 12 November 1997.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from(a) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and (b) the Director General of Oflot concerning rapid on-line lottery draws. [29994]

Mr. George Howarth

In considering the policy implications of on-line lotteries, I consulted Ministerial colleagues, including an exchange of letters with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

We did not receive representations from the Director General of OFLOT.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those organisations consulted by the Gaming Board in respect of on-line lotteries who later advised him. [29998]

Mr. George Howarth

I understand that the Gaming Board's advice was based on its own assessment of the regulatory implications of on-line lotteries.