Gamblers anonymous as Holyrood rejects casinos debate

NO-ONE associated with gambling will be able to express their views in the Scottish Parliament on a new bill to liberalise the industry, after MSPs decided yesterday to prevent a major public debate on the issue.

MSPs on the transport and local government committee are in charge of looking after Scottish interests over the Westminster Gambling Bill, which is expected to pave the way for an explosion of "super casinos" all over the country.

They had the choice yesterday of opening up their discussions to all those with an interest in the issue, including the churches, voluntary organisations, gambling charities and the trade unions or restricting their deliberations to the MSPs on the committee and a single Executive minister.

The Executive-dominated committee opted to restrict the debate. They will now hear from a minister next week before taking a decision on whether to pass the entire issue down to Westminster. The committee’s decision was condemned by Bruce Crawford, an SNP MSP, yesterday, who had urged his fellow committee members to give the people of Scotland the opportunity to express their views on the controversial subject.

He said: "I am very disappointed the committee did not take on board the need to scrutinise the Gambling Bill. There is wide concern in Scotland and it should be up to the committee to scrutinise it."

Mr Crawford wanted the churches, charities, trade unions and other interested bodies to be given the chance to give evidence to the committee but his suggestion was rejected.