HC Deb 03 December 1941 vol 376 cc1132-3
47. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he has considered a proposal from the Salisbury District Council for the removal of the railings, weighing 46 tons, from the racecourse owned by the Earl of Pembroke; and what reply he has sent?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

The proposal was put to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, who have undertaken, on behalf of the Ministry of Supply, the actual removal of unnecessary railings for scrap. It was considered that the railings should be retained so long as the racecourse remained one of those few remaining courses approved by the Minister of Home Security for war-time race meetings.

Mr. Strauss

As railings have been taken down in the great parks, surely it can be done on a race-course?

Mr. Macmillan

I am not very much of a racing man, but I assume that if you are to have race meetings, it is as well to have railings to protect you from these dangerous animals.

Mr. George Griffiths

Are railings round this race-course more important than railings round churches?