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Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Answer

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the occasions on which (a) she, and (b) other ministers in her Department have met representatives of (i) US casino operators, (ii) British casino operators and (iii) casino operators from other countries to discuss gambling issues, broken down by date of meeting. [195076] Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many recent meetings she has had with representatives of (a) Sun International, (b) MGM Mirage, (c) Kerzner International, (d) Caesar's Entertainment and (e) the British Casino Association; when those meetings took place; and if she will list the representatives whom she met from each organisation; [193901] (2) how many recent meetings (a) officials and (b) special advisers of her Department have had with representatives of (i) Sun International , (ii) MGM Mirage, (iii) Kerzner International, (iv) Caesar's Entertainment and (v) the British Casino Association. [193902] Mr. Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings (a) she, (b) other Ministers in her Department and (c) officials have had in the last six months with (i) representatives of the gambling industry and (ii) organisations concerned about the possible harmful effects of increased gambling. [194113] Miss Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) which (a) UK and (b) international organisations have submitted written representations to the Department concerning the Government's proposals for changes to legislation on gambling; and on what dates each representation was (i) received and (ii) given a substantive response; [194510] (2) on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the Department have held meetings with representatives of the UK gambling industry to discuss proposed changes to legislation on gambling; [194514] (3) what meetings (a) she, (b) her departmental Ministers and (c) advisers and officials have held with representatives of (i) Sun City International, (ii) MGM Mirage, (iii) Mandalay Resort Group, (iv) Kerzner International, (v) Las Vegas Sands, Inc., (vi) Harrah's Entertainment, (vii) Caesar's Entertainment and (viii) other foreign casino firms; what the (A) dates and (B) venues of the meetings were; and which individuals were present. [193798] Tessa Jowell: Since the publication of the report of the Gambling Review Body (Cm 5206) in July 2001, the Department has undertaken a very extensive programme of consultations with interested bodies about options and proposals for changes to gambling law in Great Britain. There have been two formal public consultations, the first on the Review Body's report and the second on the draft clauses published for pre- legislative scrutiny in November 2003. In addition to these consultations the relevant Government Departments have corresponded with and met individual companies (including those who have expressed an interest in trading in Great Britain as well as those already doing so), trade associations, charities and other bodies concerned with problem gambling or who benefit from lotteries, local authorities, trade unions, law enforcement agencies, academics and many other bodies and individuals, including members of the public, with an interest. These contacts, designed to ensure that the Government's policy proposals are sound and take full account of all relevant benefits, costs and risks, have involved both Ministers and officials. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1795-6W;426 c1799-800W; 194510;194514;193798

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Civil servants Casinos Gambling Government departments International organisations Legislation Ministers Special advisers Meetings Department for Culture, Media and Sport Caesars Entertainment Kerzner Las Vegas Sands MGM Mirage Sun International

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk