§ 29. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Home Secretary the cost of the production of the third annual report and accounts of the Racecourse Betting Control Board for the year 1931; and whether, in view of the fact that the profits made by the board have been insufficient for the third year to meet the operating expenses and interest on borrowed capital and have provided nothing for the improvement of the breeds of horses and horse racing, he will arrange that in future the cost of the publication of the report and accounts shall be provided by the Racecourse Betting Control Board and not from public funds?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe report and accounts are presented to Parliament as required by the Racecourse Betting Act, and are printed in pursuance of an order of the House. I have no information as to the cost involved and have no authority to give any directions as to how it should be borne.
§ 30. Sir B. PETOasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, although betting through totalisator pools in 1931 reached a total of £3,886,650 2s., an increase of £627,147 10s. over 1930, and in spite of the increased percentage taken by the Racecourse Betting Control Board, the profits of the board from public betting through totalisator pools were insufficient to pay for operating expenses and the interest on borrowed capital and provided nothing for improving the breeds of horses and horse racing; and whether he intends to amend the existing law so as to dissociate the Government from racecouse betting through totalisator pools?
§ Sir H. SAMUELIn answer to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Board's report and accounts for 1931, which have been presented to Parliament. As regards the remaining parts of the question, members of the Government are required to perform certain limited functions in connection with this Board by the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928. Any question of amending or repealing that Act is one of the matters which are included in the reference to the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Betting, and must await their inquiry and report.
§ Sir B. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the consideration put before the House at the time the Act was passed was that it was in the public interest in that this money would be used for improving the breed of horses and for the improvement of horse racing; and, as in the last three years no results have been produced, will he take into consideration the desirability of altering the relationship of the Government to this matter of racehorse betting?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThat can only be done by an amendment of the Act, and that must necessarily await the report of the Royal Commission.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESDo I take it that the Royal Commission which the right hon. Gentleman has just set up will be competent to look into the operations of the Betting Control Board?
§ Sir H. SAMUELCertainly, they will have the question of this Act under their consideration.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs not the failure of the Act due to the fact that no advice was taken from men who know about betting? I am not referring to myself.