CASINO ADVISORY PANEL

That this House expresses concern and disappointment over the decision-making process employed by the Casino Advisory Panel which, contrary to commitments given in its Guiding Principles, seems not to have been as `open as possible' or observed the `highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity'; further notes that the Chairman, Professor Stephen Crow, has admitted there was no single marking process which determined the final outcome of the sifting; regrets that no minutes of meetings have been published on the Panel's website since January 2006 thereby making scrutiny of its decisions impossible; further notes that the Panel seems to have fallen short of meeting the seven principles of public life as set out by Lord Nolan; fears that disappointed regional casino applicants will seek judicial review in increasing numbers; and urges the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to investigate the matter immediately and to restore confidence in this process.