Lord Bruce of Doningtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What responses they have received to their consultation letter regarding proposals to extend the opening hours of casinos in England and Wales. [HL1854]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonMy honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, Mr O'Brien, published this consultation paper on 11 November 1999 and the consultation period ended on 31 January 2000. The Home Office received 2,820 responses, mostly from casino staff. Two-thousand, eight hundred and nine of the responses opposed the proposals. Six were neutral and five expressed support.
Many casino staff were concerned about the impact which the proposal would have on them and their families, about the difficulties in travelling home especially for female staff in the early hours, and about more exposure to passive smoking. Some also said that management had not consulted them about the proposed change. They wanted us to regulate these employment issues by using the law rather than through employee/employer negotiations.
The unions opposed the change. They drew attention to the lack of recognition for collective bargaining purposes in casinos and to the timing of the implementation of the union recognition provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999.
Some residents' associations were also worried about increased noise early in the morning and additional traffic.
Having considered the responses very carefully, my honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, Mr O'Brien, has nevertheless concluded that we should proceed with the proposal. The issue is not the number of responses, but the strength of the argument for restricting commercial freedom. Casinos will not be obliged to adopt longer opening hours, but they will have more flexibility to meet consumer demand and increase their competitiveness. The changes will not so significantly affect the running of casinos as to require deferment pending the outcome of the independent gambling review, which is to start after Easter. The Gaming Board for Great Britain has no objections.
The Government understand the concerns about the impact of additional operating hours on casino staff and their families or on local residents. But the Gaming Act 1968 provides a regulatory framework for gambling in the public interest and is not designed to regulate normal employer/employee relations, which are subject to the Employment Relations Act 1999. We agree with the view expressed by the unions that any changes to casino hours should not be made before the union recognition provision of the Act is in force. The 113WA longer hours will not, therefore, be available until the end of July this year. In addition, it will continue to give to licensing authorities power to impose restrictions on casino hours where necessary to prevent disturbance or annoyance to the occupiers of other premises in the vicinity so that the concerns of residents can be considered.
The Scottish Executive has consulted on a similar exercise in respect of casinos in Scotland and will report the outcome separately.
We will place a revised Regulatory Impact Assessment in the Library when the order is laid.