§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the economic impact upon restaurants and public houses which are currently in business of the implementation of the proposals in the Budd report to permit the development of resort casinos. [HL3066]
§ Baroness BlackstoneSome of those who commented on the report of the Gambling Review Body argued that the changes in the law which it recommended, which would permit the development of resort casinos, would damage other leisure businesses in their areas by drawing customers away from them; others argued that resort casinos, by making the areas more attractive to visitors, could contribute to an overall increase in business. We intend to publish a partial regulatory impact assessment when announcing our conclusions on the report. This will include an overall assessment of benefits and costs for the gambling industry and the economy as a whole.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the impact upon employment in the gaming machine industry in the United Kingdom if the recommendations of the Budd report are agreed. [HL3067]
§ Baroness BlackstoneWe have noted the concerns expressed by the gaming machine industry that full implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Gambling Review Body would lead to the loss of at least 4,436 jobs.
We intend to publish a partial regulatory impact assessment when announcing our conclusions on the report. This will include an overall assessment of benefits and costs for the gambling industry and the economy as a whole.