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Casino choice may be re-examined Casino choice may be re-examined
(about 1 hour later)
The controversial decision to site the UK's first super-casino in Manchester is to be re-examined by MPs and peers.The controversial decision to site the UK's first super-casino in Manchester is to be re-examined by MPs and peers.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell offered the concession as debates began in the Commons and Lords on the plans which are facing challenges in both Houses.Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell offered the concession as debates began in the Commons and Lords on the plans which are facing challenges in both Houses.
It is not yet clear whether the planned joint committee could overthrow the Manchester choice, or just look at how it was made and advise on the future.It is not yet clear whether the planned joint committee could overthrow the Manchester choice, or just look at how it was made and advise on the future.
MPs and lords are debating the plans at the moment with votes due by 1900 BST.MPs and lords are debating the plans at the moment with votes due by 1900 BST.
Labour rebels are expected to vote with the Tories against the order. Dozens of Labour rebels are expected to vote with the Tories against the order.
In the Commons at about 1900 BST dozens of Labour rebels are expected to join Tories in opposing the plan. Amendment
The votes also cover 16 other planned casinos. Defeat in either will send the plans back to the drawing board. Ms Jowell said she would accept an amendment, tabled in the Lords by Baroness Golding.
It calls for a joint committee "to consider the [Casino Advisory] Panel's report in detail before any decision is arrived at with regard to issuing casino premises licences".
However, it was unclear if the amendment was being carried with her exact wording, as Baroness Golding said she was pleased that an "interpretation" had been accepted.
The votes also cover 16 other planned casinos. Defeat in either house will send the plans back to the drawing board.
Manchester was controversially picked by an independent panel ahead of the frontrunners Blackpool and the Dome.Manchester was controversially picked by an independent panel ahead of the frontrunners Blackpool and the Dome.
More than 100 MPs - including 83 Labour - have previously signed a parliamentary motion expressing "surprise and regret" at the recommendation to build the super-casino in Manchester. More than 100 MPs - including 83 Labour - have previously signed a parliamentary motion expressing "surprise and regret" at the recommendation.
What we want is an opportunity for Blackpool's bid to be properly considered Joan HumbleLabour MP Analysis: Minister's gambleWhat we want is an opportunity for Blackpool's bid to be properly considered Joan HumbleLabour MP Analysis: Minister's gamble
Supporters of Blackpool's bid - which was tipped as the favourite - say it is needed there to improve the town's fortunes.Supporters of Blackpool's bid - which was tipped as the favourite - say it is needed there to improve the town's fortunes.
Ms Jowell said she understood that people were opposed to the licences on two levels: a moral objection to gambling and a belief that the super-casino should be in Blackpool.
She said the government had asked the independent panel to make recommendations, rather than relying on ministers.
"That is why I have not simply overturned the panel's recommendation and inserted Blackpool instead of Manchester," she told the Commons.
"That would fly in the face of the evidence, but it would also have been grossly unfair to every one of the local authorities who took part in a published and agreed process in good faith."
Shadow culture secretary Hugo Swire said if the Gambling Order was split with the other 16 casinos separate from the single super-casino, the Tories would support it.
Tories' vote
He said his party wanted further scrutiny of the panel's decision, which would only take between four and six weeks.
"We are voting against this order, but it is not a vote against the Casino Advisory Panel or a vote against Manchester. It is a vote for further Parliamentary scrutiny," Mr Swire said.
Leading Labour rebel, Joan Humble, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, said: "It's always difficult to estimate how much of that concern will translate into either a vote against or abstention.Leading Labour rebel, Joan Humble, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, said: "It's always difficult to estimate how much of that concern will translate into either a vote against or abstention.
"The government should be aware that what we want is an opportunity for Blackpool's bid to be properly considered. We want fairness in this," added the MP."The government should be aware that what we want is an opportunity for Blackpool's bid to be properly considered. We want fairness in this," added the MP.
'Closer scrutiny''Closer scrutiny'
Ms Humble said her emphasis was on the super-casino location, and she was disappointed that the vote was for all 17 casinos.Ms Humble said her emphasis was on the super-casino location, and she was disappointed that the vote was for all 17 casinos.
"What I want is that the government recognises there is little controversy over the 16 large and small casinos. They could and should be dealt with now. "What I want is that the government recognises there is little controversy over the 16 large and small casinos. They could and should be dealt with now," she told the BBC.
"But there needs to be much, much closer scrutiny of how we locate, where we locate the new super casino," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. CASINO SIZES Super: minimum customer area of 5,000 sq m and up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot slot machines. Large: minimum area of 1,000 sq m and up to 150 slot machines with a maximum jackpot of £4,000. Small: minimum customer area of 750 sq m, up to 80 slot machines and a jackpot of £4,000.
We're not talking about buying off a rebellion Tessa JowellCulture Secretary
The Gambling Order grants the powers to issue licences for new casinos.The Gambling Order grants the powers to issue licences for new casinos.
Neither MPs nor peers can vote to change the locations, so critics will have to vote against the entire order.Neither MPs nor peers can vote to change the locations, so critics will have to vote against the entire order.
In the Commons that will be a straight vote, but in the Lords there are expected to be two votes, one of which would kill the plans, and the other which would express unhappiness but not kill them off.In the Commons that will be a straight vote, but in the Lords there are expected to be two votes, one of which would kill the plans, and the other which would express unhappiness but not kill them off.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said if the plans were rejected, there "could be no Plan B quickly" implemented.
She told the Financial Times that the government would offer Blackpool regeneration funds - but denied she was trying to bribe the rebels with concessions.
"We're not talking about buying off a rebellion," she told the FT.
CASINO SIZES Super: minimum customer area of 5,000 sq m and up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot slot machines. Large: minimum area of 1,000 sq m and up to 150 slot machines with a maximum jackpot of £4,000. Small: minimum customer area of 750 sq m, up to 80 slot machines and a jackpot of £4,000.
"This is very much in response to specific representations by a very large number of MPs...there is no question that I am doing some sort of backstairs deal."
The Casino Advisory Panel chose Manchester as the super-casino venue in January.The Casino Advisory Panel chose Manchester as the super-casino venue in January.
It also recommended that large casinos should be licensed at Great Yarmouth, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton.It also recommended that large casinos should be licensed at Great Yarmouth, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton.
'Unfair competition' And it said small casinos should be sited at Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.
And it said that small casinos should be sited at Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.
Gaming operator Rank Group said it feared the plans were unfair to existing casinos.
Ian Burke, its chief executive, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the recommendations provided "unfair competition" in 11 of the 17 areas that the Casino Advisory Panel has recommended get the new licence.
He said the new casinos would be able to offer bingo, sports betting and additional machines, allowing them to offer "a much broader range of gaming product" than existing businesses in those areas which operate under the 1968 Gaming Act.
However, Mr Burke added: "Overall, we think the government has to be given credit for trying to modernise the legislation governing the gaming industry."