Pro-casino MPs put on gambling committee

A group of backbench Labour MPs who keenly support an expansion of Britain's gambling industry have been selected to sit on a key Commons committee on the controversial Gambling Bill.

It emerged today that the Government, reeling from a huge backlash over its plans to bring Las Vegas-style casinos to Britain, is to fill the committee with MPs who support its policy.

This is in breach of Commons conventions which say parties should nominate candidates with a range of views.

The Evening Standard has learned that Blackpool MP Joan Humble and Great Yarmouth's Tony Wright, whose seaside constituencies are likely to benefit from the plans, have been asked to join the committee.

Other MPs tipped for the committee are Liam Byrne, recent winner of the Hodge Hill by-election, and Kevan Jones of Durham North. Both voted in favour of the Gambling Bill on Monday.

Standing committees assess legislation in detail and offer the chance for the Government to make amendments.

Labour's decision to fill the committee with loyal MPs flies in the face of the Commons convention that the membership should ref lect the range of views expressed during the second reading of a Bill.

This will raise questions about the Government's pledge to review the number of super-casinos.