Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Lewell-Buck Excerpts
Thursday 30th January 2014

(10 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I call Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck.

Emma Lewell-Buck Portrait Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)
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T6. Violent attacks on betting shop workers are on the rise and single-staffing policies mean that many have minimal protection from harm. Yet in many shops operators have not installed protective screens for their staff until after an incident has occurred. Will the Minister look at requiring all betting shops to install screens for the safety and benefit of the staff?

Helen Grant Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant)
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Local authorities that are concerned about any betting shop can use their licensing conditions, which were used very successfully by Newham when it had concerns about crime, antisocial behaviour and under-age gambling. With regard to the number of staff in shops, licensing conditions can again be used.