§ 2. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the present food situation of the country and the intense struggle now going on in France, it is proposed to continue to issue permits for horse-racing in the United Kingdom?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)The Government see no reason at present to stop the very limited programme of racing which they have authorised and which is considered necessary to maintain the very important industry of horse-breeding.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs my hon. Friend aware that on 21st March a great concourse of people assembled at Gatwick Park on the same day as our troops were attacked by an overwhelming mass of Germans on the Somme; and does that really conform with the national feeling in the matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot enter into the merits of that.
Mr. CHANCELLORAre we to understand that the betting and gambling on which horse-racing depend are supposed to be a necessary industry of the country?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThat does not arise out of the question.