asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason of policy some small local charities have to pay £5 registration fee under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976; if he is satisfied with the restrictions imposed on such charities; if he will provide some relief for the smaller charities raising small sums of money to maintain their activities in local areas; and if he will make a statement.

The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 requires a society wishing to promote a lottery to register with the local authority and pay it an annual fee of £5. The purpose of the fee is to recover the local authority's costs. I do not know what restrictions my hon. Friend has in mind, but I would not feel justified in proposing an amendment to the provision of the 1976 Act which requires the payment of this fee.