To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt), of 11 December 2007, Official Report, columns 554-5W, on regeneration: Greater Manchester, what the terms of reference are for the review of regeneration alternatives to the regional casino in Manchester; and whether the review will consider (a) the option of eight small and eight large casinos and (b) the effect of the increase in the number of casinos authorised under the Gaming Act 1968 prior to the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005. (182164)

In July, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said that the Government would look at whether deprived areas could be equally well served by forms of regeneration other than the development of regional casinos.

While Manchester will clearly have an interest in the findings of the review, the response is not specific to alternatives to a regional casino in Manchester; it applies to deprived areas more broadly.

The Review did not look at the case of the small or large casinos or consider the Gambling Act more generally. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is currently considering next steps on casino policy under the Gambling Act 2005, and will make an announcement to Parliament in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt) of 11 December 2007, Official Report, columns 554-5W, on regeneration: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 1131W, on casinos, whether the review of regeneration alternatives to regional casinos has received evidence from representatives of (a) Anschutz Entertainment Group, (b) its associated companies and (c) business partners. (182236)

In July the Prime Minister said that the Government would consider the question of whether deprived areas could be equally well served by forms of regeneration other than the development of regional casinos. While Manchester will clearly have an interest in the findings of the review, the response is not specific to alternatives to a regional casino in Manchester; it applies to deprived areas more broadly.

There is no record that the Review received any evidence from Anschutz Entertainment Group or from any party known to me to be its associated company or business partner. When the Review is published it will list the evidence sources that have been referenced.