HC Deb 11 February 1943 vol 386 cc1434-5
34. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Home Secretary how many dog tracks are in operation; how many days a week are they open; what is the totalisator turnover; and what is the approximate daily attendance at each?

Mr. H. Morrison

Information received last summer showed that there were then 144 dog tracks in use in England and Wales. Racing on dog tracks is limited to one day a week on each track. Information as to the remaining parts of the Question is not available, and I regret that in present conditions the labour involved in obtaining it would not be justified.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at; one dog track, of which I will give him the name, it is estimated that the turnover is £14,000 every week? Does he not think that the men and money employed should be put to better use during the war?

Mr. Morrison

We have restricted dog-track racing. I have no deep feeling about it, but I really think it is wrong to exploit the war situation for the furtherance of peace-time policy.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Could the Home Secretary tell us—

Mr. Speaker rose

—

44. Captain Poole

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a large number of taxicabs are used each Saturday afternoon to convey-patrons to greyhound racing at the White City Stadium; that the taxicabs remain there throughout the whole afternoon, thus depriving people who require them for more urgent purposes; and, as there is an underground station within a few hundred yards of the stadium and omnibuses pass the gates, will he take steps to stop this waste of petrol?

Mr. Morrison

There will be general agreement with my hon. and gallant Friend in condemning the thoughtlessness and lack of public spirit shown by people who use taxis for journeys which could be performed without difficulty by other means; but I know of no method by which the police or the courts could decide in individual cases whether an individual was or was not justified in using a taxi. Nor can I see any practicable method of deciding whether or not a taxi driver is justified in waiting or not waiting for fares at any particular place.

Captain Poole

Surely, my right hon. Friend in conjunction with the Minister of Fuel and Power ought to be able to do something; and is it not rather disgraceful that men should risk their lives to bring petrol to this country to be frittered away and that some hundreds of taxicabs should stand outside the White City Stadium every Saturday afternoon?

Mr. Morrison

I have made a general statement at the beginning of this answer not out of sympathy with my hon. and gallant Friend's point of view, but if the responsibility is to be placed on the police of deciding whether any particular taxicab journey is socially necessary or not, I think it would be putting an impossible burden on the police force.

Captain Poole

Is it not possible for my right hon. Friend to issue an Order prohibiting the use of taxicabs to such places when other means of conveyance are available?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think that that would be a matter for me.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Will the Home Secretary prevent taxicabs from being used to convey people to the Stock Exchange?