§ Mrs. GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's policy is on the use of children of compulsory school age in undertaking test purchasing of National Lottery tickets during school hours; and if he will make a statement. [158490]
§ Kate HoeyIt is an offence to sell a National Lottery ticket to a child under 16 years of age and my Department, and the National Lottery regulator, the National Lottery Commission, are concerned to prevent such sales. The National Lottery operator, Camelot Group plc, makes test purchases using 16-year-olds who appear younger, but cannot make test sales using children under 16. Trading standards officers are able to make test purchases using children under 16. Advice to them on the use of children to make test purchases was included in Home Office Circular 17/1992. A copy of this Circular is in the Libraries of the House.