SEASIDE AMUSEMENTS AND THE GAMBLING BILL

Early day motion 877, tabled 22 March 2004 by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 16 members.

That this House notes the concerns of seaside amusement businesses at the proposed Gambling Bill which, according to the Henley Centre's research commissioned by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, could lead to thousands of family-owned businesses closing, as they will not be able to compete with casino-style resort complexes offering hundreds of slot machines with unlimited stakes and prizes; and calls on the Government to propose a phased introduction of a limited number of new style casinos restricted to those areas where regeneration is needed and where social and economic benefits seem likely.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 10, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 2, Labour 1.