§ 47. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the Prime Minister if he will state since when has the decision to continue horse-racing been entrusted to the War Office; and whether rations of corn for geldings and concourses of people, as at the Gatwich Racecourse on the 21st March last, the date of the German offensive on the Somme, will contribute to maintain the industry of horse-breeding in this country?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have been asked to reply. It is for the War Cabinet to decide within what limits horse-racing should continue: the War Office are merely concerned to maintain the horse-breeding industry. On the merits of the question I can add nothing to the answer given last Monday by the Under-Secretary of State for War.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay I ask the Leader of the House why it is that this question is dealt with first by the Board of Trade, then by the War Office, and then by the. Food Controller, and how you can maintain horse breeding by giving rations of corn to geldings?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI should distinctly require notice of that question.
§ Mr. S. ROBINSONMay I ask if owners of motor cars who use them to attend race meetings are prosecuted in the same way as people who use them to go to church?
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman's inability to answer the question not show that the maintenance of horse breeding is a mere sham and a mockery?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; I do not think that it shows that, but that particular aspect of the question had never been brought to my notice before.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that this sport is most unseemly at the present time, when the nation is in a very serious state and the War is in a critical position?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI understand that there is almost none of it, but it has not been considered at all recently by the War Cabinet. We have naturally considered it only when it has been brought to our notice by the Department. I do not myself see any reason to change the decision to which we came before.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWhen the Government is considering it, will they make inquiries as to what was the attendance and how many motor cars were used at the recent race meetings?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI shall make inquiries, but I am perfectly certain that no facilities for motors ought to be or are given for such a purpose.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the interest evidently taken on all sides of the House in this question, will the right hon. Gentle man see that the War Cabinet does consider it at an early date?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already given that promise.