HC Deb 25 June 1940 vol 362 cc290-1
29. Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on greyhound racing evenings in North and East London women munition workers, after a 12-hour day ending at 7 p.m., are unable to get conveyances home; and whether he will now take action to close down greyhound racing for the war period?

Mr. Mabane

I am aware that there have been difficulties in the transport of workers in the circumstances indicated in the Question; but since the hon. Member put down his Question the National Greyhound Racing Society have taken steps to secure a very substantial reduction in the number of meetings. As from yesterday, no track will race on more than one day in each week: this involves a reduction of about two-thirds in the number of meetings held hitherto over the whole country. In the London area there will be only 15 meetings instead of 40. The track authorities are to fix their meetings at such times as will avoid so far as practicable other peak loads. Careful watch will be kept on the working of these arrangements: if the hon. Member hears of any further difficulty and will let me have particulars, I will have inquiry made.

Mr. Morrison

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that only on Saturday evening last many of the 3,000 women working in a North London factory, after working 12 hours and leaving at 7 p.m., had to walk two or three miles home because all the coaches and conveyances were filled with people going to greyhound racing? Will the hon. Gentleman say how serious the position must become before anything is done?

Mr. Mabane

It is considerations of that sort which have led to the drastic reduction in the number of meetings.

Mr. Morrison

Will the hon. Gentleman take some steps to ascertain that this sort of thing is causing serious discontent among thousands of women who are working long hours every day for seven days a week?

Viscountess Astor

Is it not time that the Government took the lead instead of waiting for these vested interests to decide to do things?

Mr. Higgs

Why not stop dog racing?

Mr. Lawson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Mining Federation only last Saturday appealed to the Government to stop these meetings?

Mr. Mabane

My right hon. Friend indicated in his reply to the hon. Member for West Birmingham (Mr. Higgs) on 13th June that he is keeping in the closest touch with the Minister of Labour on this matter.

Sir Joseph Lamb

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether there is any way in which the House can express its opinion on this matter?