Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his full introduction, which was a bit of a contrast to the response of the noble Lord, Lord Howard. Just to add to the Minister’s regulatory pleasures, I shall be fairly brief, but perhaps not as brief as the noble Lord, Lord Howard. The key question on the issues faced by the bingo industry is: what has taken the Government so long to come up with these regulations? Between 2003 and 2009 some 115 bingo premises closed, with a loss of 4,000 jobs. Since April last year, it is estimated that a further 24 have closed. The Explanatory Notes explain that an affirmative resolution such as that which we are debating is needed to approve an increase in participation fees for prize gaming in bingo premises—but the opportunity was there last March, when stakes and prizes for category C and D machines were increased, as the Minister said. Why could not this consultation—he called it a "discussion", which was interesting—have taken place at the same time as that for category C and D machines? That is rather strange and does not appear to be the action of a Government who are concerned to nurture a valued form of gambling which is enjoyed by more than 3 million people in this country. The Government have done some good things in this area. They have removed VAT on participation fees and they have permitted the doubling of the number of category B machines allowed on bingo premises. However, they then proceeded to fiddle with GPT, which cost the industry some £1.5 million. They do not have a completely blameless record in that respect. The Minister should answer the question about the uplift in stakes and prizes for category B machines. This is of great significance to the bingo industry and to the seaside arcades that he mentioned. The wait for this review has been agonising. The commitment to it was made 18 months ago. What is the situation? What is the hold-up? Where is it coming from? However, we support the regulations and, in fact, we strongly welcome them. I look forward to the Minister’s reply.