asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria adopted by the Gaming Board for licensing the employees of gaming clubs.

The issue of certificates in respect of employees of gaming clubs is governed by the provisions of Section 19 of and Schedule 5 to the Gaming Act 1968. In particular, paragraph 3 of the schedule provides that, in determining whether to issue a certificate, the Gaming Board shall have regard only to the question whether, in relation to the premises specified in the application, the applicant is a fit and proper person to perform the function or act in the capacity so specified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been licensed by the Gaming Board on a yearly basis since its inception to be employed in gaming establishments; what has been the turnover in licensed employees in the industry, male and female, on a yearly basis; and what other records of employment patterns are maintained by the board.

I am informed that the number of certificates issued since 1st June 1971 under Section 19 of the Gaming Act 1968 in respect of clubs licensed for gaming other than bingo only is as follows:

1971	3,140
1972	3,272
1973	3,101
1974	3,495

A new certificate is required whenever a person leaves one employment for another or performs a different function or acts in a different capacity from that for which his certificate is in force. It is estimated that at the end of last year a total of some 3,500 staff were employed, of whom about 45 per cent. were women.Information about staff turnover is not readily available.For any further information I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the annual report of the Gaming Board for Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the Gaming Board the average time it takes to examine the background of a person seeking to be licensed to work in gaming establishments; and what is the shortest and longest time taken.

I understand that the average time taken is approximately six weeks. Application can rarely be determined in less than four weeks. Some applications, which may involve inquiries abroad or the revocation of an existing certificate, may take several months to determine.