HC Deb 17 July 1933 vol 280 cc1535-7
51. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Home Secretary if the totalisators in use at pony race-tracks are operated under the licence of the Racecourse Betting Control Board; and, if so, what percentage is deducted and kept by the track management and what percentage is given to the control board?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am informed by the Racecourse Betting Control Board that the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the board inform me that the agreement, under which licences have been granted to the managements of the two Pony Racecourses at Northolt, and Portsmouth, provides that the licensees shall pay into the Totalisator Fund the proceeds derived from the authorised deduction of 10 per cent. of the moneys staked by means of the totalisator. As contemplated by Section 3 (6) of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928, the agreement provides for the payment to the licensees out of the Totalisator Fund, at the end of each year, of all taxes, rates, charges and working expenses certified to have been incurred by the licensees during the year, but as a matter of convenience it has been agreed that the board will pay to the licensees, at the end of each race meeting, 7 per cent. of the moneys staked at the meeting towards reimbursement of the licensees' expenses in operating the totalisator, this 7 per cent. being subject to adjustment at the end of the year when certified accounts are received. The balance of the money received by the board, after deduction of the board's expenses in supervision, is available for distribution for the purposes defined in Section 3 (6) of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928.

Mr. DICKIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the final report of the Betting Commission it is stated that in one case a licensee is permitted to retain four-fifths of the total deductions, and, in any case, is it not unfair that the pony-racing track at Northholt should be allowed the use of the totalisator on a profit-making basis while the track at Wembley only a few miles away is not allowed the same privilege despite the fact that the National Greyhound Racing Society say they are prepared there to operate the totalisator without any profit at all?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Whatever they get is for the purpose of pony breeding, and that was laid down under the Act.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZON

If, legislatively, a pony is a horse, could a greyhound be a pony?