HC Deb 16 February 1937 vol 320 cc985-6
33. Major Neven-Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a decision has yet been reached on the question of restoring the heavy horse-breeding grant for Scotland?

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)

I have given careful consideration to the representations made to me on this subject; I have reached the conclusion that there is no sufficient justification at the present time for charging public funds with a general restoration of heavy horse-breeding grants in Scotland, but that it would be expedient to revive the special grants which were offered to societies in the islands of Orkney and in Argyll, which are part of the congested districts, to help to defray some of the additional expense incurred by these societies in obtaining high-class stallions from the mainland. I have, therefore, arranged that a limited amount of money will be provided for this purpose in the coming financial year.

43. Lieut.-Colonel Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct his nominee on the Racecourse Betting Control Board to suggest that, in view of the increased surplus available in the totalisator fund and of the fact that part of the revenue of the Board is obtained from Scottish sources, part of the distributable surplus should be made available for the promotion of Scottish horse-breeding?

Mr. Elliot

The issue of such an instruction as is referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is not within my powers. I am glad, however, to be able to inform him that the claims of the Scottish heavy horse-breeding industry for a grant from the surplus arising out of the operations of the Racecourse Betting Control Board in 1936 are at present engaging the attention of the Board, who are in correspondence with me on the subject.

Lieut.-Colonel Moore

Will my right hon. Friend point out to the Board how much appreciated by the horse-breeding industry in Scotland would be a satisfactory decision on this matter?

Mr. H. G. Williams

Do I understand that the Betting Control Board is distributing dividends before it has paid off its overdraft?