HC Deb 23 May 1916 vol 82 cc1981-2
47. Lord CLAUD HAMILTON

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government, having regard to the feeling throughout the country against the continuance of horseracing during the War, coupled with the necessity for restricting the consumption of petrol and minimising the repairs to motor cars used for purposes other than those in aid of the naval, military, and munition services, will take immediate steps to prohibit such racing until after the conclusion of the War?

The PRIME MINISTER

I must refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to the Member for North Devon by the President of the Board of Trade, on the 9th and 11th instant, as embodying the conclusions of the Government on this matter.

Lord C. HAMILTON

Does not the right hon. Gentleman and His Majesty's Government see the incompatibility of preaching public economy, and urging munition workers to do their utmost in the interests of the State, sanctioning prosecutions and in some cases fines for wilful disregard of the advice in regard to working, and at the same time giving public sanction to the most extravagant, alluring, and expensive form of public amusement?

Mr. HOGGE

Running our own horses!

The PRIME MINISTER

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer of the President of the Board of Trade, who went into all these matters on the 9th and the 11th of May.

Sir C. HENRY

Could the right hon. Gentleman state what is the reason why there should be an increase in the number of race meetings this year as compared with last year?

Mr. HOGGE

Is the Prime Minister aware that since May, when the Cabinet discussed this matter, the Government have themselves bought racehorses, which they are running?

Sir S. COLLINS

May I ask if it is not possible to devise some other means for training horses for military and national use than race meetings?

Sir A. MARKHAM

Will the Prime Minister take the sense of the House on this question? Has he any doubt whatever that practically the large majority of this House is in favour of the proposal contained in the question?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not at all sure what the sense of the House is on this matter.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Will you take the sense of the House?

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

May I ask whether horseracing is not an amusement in which large amounts of capital are wasted?