| Gambling Bill
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Mr. Moss: I beg to move amendment No. 209, in clause 44, page 21, line 5, at end insert
The Chairman: With this it will be convenient to discuss amendment No. 210, in clause 44, page 21, line 6, leave out paragraph (a). Mr. Moss: These are probing amendments. I am told by those involved in pub and club businesses that subsection (7) might include them. I do not think that that is the intention, and we suggest that in order to clarify matters paragraph (a)—
Column Number: 246 Mr. Caborn: I am not absolutely clear about the hon. Gentleman's intention. The amendment does not change the effect of the clause. Perhaps that reassures him. The three paragraphs in subsection (7) explain the circumstances of the offence. All must apply for the offence to be committed. The position will be the same if the amendment is agreed to, and I therefore ask the hon. Gentleman to withdraw it. Mr. Foster: The amendment relates to family entertainment centres, which brings us back to an issue we were debating a few minutes ago. I want the Minister to explain some things in a little more detail. I can envisage there being a regional casino that has a range of offerings other than the main gaming part. That part is where the category A machines will be—probably along with category B machines and other things such as the gaming tables—but elsewhere there will be many other offerings. The casino might decide that it wants to put in a family entertainment centre. It would be able to do that in normal circumstances; it would be able to apply for a separate licence as a family entertainment centre within the overall complex. Similarly, I assume that it could apply to put in a pub—Ye Olde Worlde Pub or an Irish pub—as part of the attraction. I think that in the past it would have been able to apply for a separate licence for that facility, which could include category C machines in it. I am unclear whether the Minister is giving us a categorical answer that it is not possible under the overarching umbrella of the regional casino to apply separately for a pub licence which might have category C machines, or for a family entertainment centre, which could have category D machines. I think the Minister has told us that that is not possible, but it would be helpful if he were to say that very clearly before we move on. Mr. Caborn: I hope that this will answer the question that has been raised, which was also raised in another debate. The licensee cannot apply for a second licence for the non-gaming area, and the whole area is covered by the regional casino licence. If we then consider children, clause 44(2) states:
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Column Number: 247
Gale, Mr. Roger (Chairman) Byrne, Mr. Liam Caborn, Mr. Richard Chapman, Mr. Ben Cruddas, Jon Efford, Clive Foster, Mr. Don Hawkins, Mr. Nick Humble, Mrs. Joan Illsley, Mr. Eric Jones, Mr. Kevan Kirkbride, Miss Julie McKechin, Ann Moss, Mr. Malcolm Page, Mr. Richard Prisk, Mr. Mark Pugh, Dr. John Russell, Bob Watson, Mr. Tom Wright, Iain
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| Prepared 30 November 2004 | |
