HC Deb 19 March 1917 vol 91 cc1546-7

The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. W. THORNE:

49. To ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that a local magistrate, living close to Lingfield, stated that a few weeks ago, when the Lingfield race meetings took place, no less than 6,500 motor vehicles passed over a main road for the said meeting; and, in consequence of there being a shortage of petrol for industrial purposes and that race meetings are of no productive value, if the Government will issue an Order to prevent all race meetings?

Mr. THORNE

By some inadvertence 500 has been changed into 6,500 in my question.

Mr. ROBERTS

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question, and what the hon. Gentleman has just said modifies my reply accordingly. I have not seen the statement to which my hon Friend refers, and cannot verify the figure given, but I should hesitate to accept it as accurate. In the interests of the horse-breeding industry objection has not been raised by the Government to a very limited number of race meetings being held at Lingfield and a few other courses under National Hunt Committee Rules.

Mr. HOGGE

Will any of our horses run?

Mr. THORNE

You do not train and gallop bullocks for the purpose of getting the best out of them, and why horses?

Back to