a) How much in total has the DCMS spent on external consultants?
b) Has the DCMS any estimates or data on the amount spent by the 17 local authorities selected by the Casino Advisory Panel in relation to their successful bids?
c) The details of all relevant meetings involving officials or ministers and industry bodies during 2007.
Case Number 74354
In response: The Department has not employed any external consultants in respect of the new casinos permitted under the Gambling Act 2005.
The costs of the Casino Advisory Panel, which advised the Secretary of State on where the new casinos permitted under the Act should be located, are in the public domain. The information was provided recently in response to a Parliamentary Question that can be accessed on Parliament's website at :
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070621/text/70621w0001.htm#07062159000002
(see the Hansard link for 21 June 2007 column 1971W).
During the current implementation phase of the Gambling Act, Ministers and officials have had many meetings with a range of industry bodies and representatives. Given the widespread interest in our casino policy, the subject of casinos and the work of the casino Advisory panel will have been discussed at many of these meetings.