RACECOURSE BETTING CONTROL BOARD.

HC Deb 15 March 1938 vol 333 cc205-6

44. Mr. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Home Secretary by what amount and in what way Scotland has benefited from the distribution of profits by the Racecourse Betting Control Board?

Mr. Lloyd

The board have supplied me with an analysis showing the various grants made for purposes specifically Scottish, and as the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Anstruther-Gray

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland satisfied with those figures?

Mr. Lloyd

I suggest that my hon. Friend should consult with the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any idea what contribution Scotland makes towards these profits?

Mr. H. G. Williams

Are these profits calculated after assuming that all the losses have been capitalised?

Following is the answer:

Grants have been made by the Racecourse Betting Control Board for the following objects specifically connected with Scotland:

£11,779 to owners of approved racecourses in Scotland, for specifically approved purposes conducive to improvements in the sport of horse racing.

£4,287 by payments to owners of £3 for every horse run at race meetings in Scotland in 1937.

£500 to the Clydesdale Horse Society, to assist small farmers in Scotland to meet the service fees of Clydesdale stallions.

£105 to the National Pony Society for stallion premiums for highland ponies.

£1,000 to investigations into grass sickness at the Institute of the Animal Diseases Research Association at Moredun, near Edinburgh. A further grant of £750 has been approved.

£625 to research into disabling diseases of horses at the Rival (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh. A further grant of £650 has been approved.

£500 to the Building Fund of the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh. A further grant of £500 has been approved.

It is proposed to make a grant of £500 to the Glasgow Veterinary College.

In addition, the Hunters' Improvement and National Light Horse Breeding Society, to which the board make substantial grants, have allocated sums totalling £2,200 in premiums in respect of stallions travelled in Scotland.