§ 13. Mr. DUNCANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has given approval to the action of the Racecourse Betting Control Board in making no provision for depreciation of buildings, equipment, motor vehicles, furniture, and fittings on expenditure on leasehold premises until the redundant assets account has been completely written off and a substantial reduction made in the development account; and will he watch the position closely to see that meanwhile no further substantial amount of redundant assets is created?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)The board is an independent statutory body. Certain duties are imposed on the Secretary of State by the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928, but it is not within my right hon. Friend's province to approve or disapprove of the board's policy in the matter of making provision for depreciation. In their published report for the year 1935 the board state that it is anticipated that the balance of £57,484 odd now remaining on the redundant assets account will be written off during the current year.