To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library copies of the letters he has received since 1 September 2007 on (a) gaming machine stake and prize levels and (b) the number of gaming machines in use. (174516)

Since 1 September the Department has received more than 140 letters from hon. Members, writing on behalf of constituents, concerning gaming machine stakes and prizes and gaming machine numbers.

I am arranging for a copy of an anonymised example of a typical constituent's letter, and the Department's reply, to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether he plans to review the (a) size and (b) remit of the Gambling Commission. (175597)

There are no immediate plans to review the size or focus of the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission is the new regulator for the gambling industry and became fully operational from 1 September 2007. The Commission is still in its first operational cycle and has developed strategic objectives for the first three years to deliver its statutory objectives as set out in the Gambling Act 2005. The Commission's initial Corporate Plan will be reviewed after 18 months in light of its first year's experience as the regulator. In particular the review will consider the developing methods for assessing the level of risk within the gambling industry and the resource effectiveness of the Gambling Commission's approach (including an annual review of licence fees).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from (a) the Gambling Commission, (b) the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, (c) Gamcare and (d) trade associations on the likely effects on problem gambling of the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 on 1 September 2007. (175598)

The implementation of the Gambling Act 2005 which came into force on 1 September 2007 has been the subject of extensive consultation with key stakeholders from industry and those with an interest in problem gambling.

Ministers and officials also continue to hold meetings with stakeholders including those listed in the question and which have included representations on a range of issues, including problem gambling.

The Gambling Commission has also recently launched a first consultation paper on the Review of Research, Education and Treatment for problem gambling and has invited views from a broad range of stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the economic effect of the Gambling Act 2005 on seaside arcades. (175599)

My Department is engaging in active and constructive dialogue with the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, the main trade body which represents the gaming machines and seaside arcades sector, and other trade bodies with an interest in the sector, such as the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, to gain a full understanding of the current trading conditions in the gaming machine and seaside arcades sector.

I have made it clear to these organisations that I will be happy to consider any evidence they can provide in relation to the difficult trading conditions that some arcade operators say they are currently experiencing, and any proposals for remedial action.

However, the Government's principal priority remains to protect the public. We will need to be satisfied that any proposals put forward for remedial action by the industry do not have an adverse impact in terms of the licensing objectives of the Gambling Act 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average premises licence fees levied on (a) family entertainment centres and (b) adult gaming centres by local authorities was in 2006-07. (175600)

The average premises licences fees for (a) family entertainment centres and (b) adult gaming centres by local authorities are set out in the table. These data is calculated from fee data returns collected by my Department from 95 per cent. of licensing authorities. Full details of all premises licence fees are available on the DCMS website

www.culture.gov.uk.