HC Deb 30 May 1940 vol 361 cc657-8
74. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of banning all greyhound race meetings until the end of the war?

Sir J. Anderson

Experience has proved that if workers are to maintain their efficiency for more than a very limited period, some measure of relaxation is essential and for that reason the Government have been anxious to avoid interfering unduly with facilities for sport and recreation. They have, however, kept the position constantly under review and they will not hesitate, should circumstances demand it, to impose such further restrictions on public entertainments as may be necessary.

Mr. Hall

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has been to one of these meetings recently, and, if so, whether he imagines that the enormous number of motor cars drawn up outside belong to the workers? Does he really think that this is a sport at all, and does he not know that in the eyes of many people it is a vested interest and a complete racket?

Sir J. Anderson

I am afraid that I cannot match the length of the question with my answer. I have been in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on these matters.

Sir P. Harris

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the appalling sacrifices that are being made by men overseas, and does he not consider that it must be very irritating to them that this great extravagance should go on while the tragedy overseas is taking place?

Sir J. Anderson

I agree that that is an important consideration, but it is one only of a number of considerations which have to be taken into account. I must be guided by the opinions of some of my colleagues who are in a better position to judge the effect on the workers than I am.

Mr. Hall

Do I understand that the Home Secretary is considering vested interests in this matter?

Sir J. Anderson

Certainly not.

Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrew

Does my right hon. Friend not think it is most unsuitable at the present time that serious news on the wireless about the war should be followed by horseracing results?

Sir J. Anderson

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information.

Viscountess Astor

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that this shocks the men who are fighting; that I have seen some of them who have come home and that they are horrified?