Casinos

Asked if the Prime Ministers comments earlier today implied that Blackpool could now get a casino, and would this need a change in legislation, the PMOS replied that there was a review process going on where Ministers were considering how to proceed. But while this was going on, Tessa Jowell had given a commitment to Parliament not to bring forward any further super casinos in light of this Parliament, and that would not change. But we could consider what might happen in the future.

Asked if the Prime Minister could have been talking about a smaller casino, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister was indicating his own personal view on the issue. But the commitment had been made and that commitment was there.

Asked when the Ministerial review would be completed, the PMOS referred the journalist to the Department.

2007-05-15