Published: May 12, 2008
MP slams government over 'failure' to protect seaside towns

Burnham-On-Sea's MP has this week attacked the government for 'failing to protect the interests' of seaside towns.

Seaside arcades and amusement centres are in jeopardy due to newly-introduced gambling laws which restrict the type of machines they can install, claims David Heathcoat-Amory, pictured right, who raised the matter during a parliamentary debate.

He explained: "Somerset relies heavily on tourism and our seaside towns attract holidaymakers from all over Britain."

"Arcades are part of British seaside culture, and are often the only source of amusement and entertainment on a rainy day. These arcades are often family-owned and passed down from generation to generation."

"Tourists who visit seaside resorts aren’t professional gamblers. Burnham, Berrow and Brean aren't like Monte Carlo or Las Vegas, where real gambling takes place."

"The Government must do more to look after our domestic tourist industries and they can start by withdrawing their damaging measures affecting amusement arcades."

His comments came after a debate in the House of Commons on the Financial Bill where the MP said: "The Government have just conducted a very panicky emergency review of their ill-judged proposals on the taxation of low-paid people."

"Why can they not attribute the same urgency to a review of the destruction of seaside industries, about which the Minister has been warned in the past and which has now taken place? A very serious situation faces hundreds or even thousands of people. Will the Minister show the same urgency over that as they showed over the 10p tax rate?”

It is the second time during recent months that Mr Heathcoat-Amory has clashed with Labour ministers over the matter. As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com here in February, the MP told Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, that competition from new casinos would have a serious effect on seaside towns.