§ 47. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the Prime-Minister if his attention has been drawn to the use of petrol for pleasure motor cars and the holding of race meetings; and whether he will during the War prohibit the use of petrol unless for business or national purposes, and suppress all race meetings as being wasteful of the nation's resources?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD Of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Strong representation has been made to the Government that a certain amount of racing is necessary in the interests of thoroughbred horse breeding, and after careful consideration the Stewards of the Jockey Club have been informed that a limited number of race meetings at a small number of specified places will not be objected to. It may become necessary to restrict the supply of petrol for other than essential purposes, and this matter is under the consideration of a Committee which I have appointed for that purpose.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill my right hon. Friend show a good example by withdrawing our racehorses from these meetings?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the holding of horseracing meetings means that a larger number of railway servants and additional wagons must necessarily be engaged, and 451 that most certainly a larger number of men will be travelling in different parts of the country, and is it not time all horse-racing was put down?
§ Sir H. MEUXIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that horseracing is continued in Germany, Austria, Russia, and Italy, and if it is forbidden in England will it not show that the assumption that our economic condition is better than that of Germany and Austria is not correct?