HC Deb 04 July 1967 vol 749 cc1562-4
Q4. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move to set up a Royal Commission to inquire into means of perpetuating, as a great British sporting institution, the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree, having regard to the threats to its future.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, I know that the future of the Grand National and of the racecourse at Aintree is a matter of great public interest but I do not think that a Royal Commission would be an appropriate way of tackling the problem.

Sir G. Nabarro

As this is the first Question to the Prime Minister on the future of Aintree and the National, and although a Royal Commission may not be the correct body to report, will he say what alternative recourse he would have to save this great British sporting institution for Liverpool and for the whole country in which, free of party, we all have a very real interest?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, indeed. Since the Aintree Racecourse is in my former constituency—

Sir G. Nabarro

That is why I asked the question.

The Prime Minister

—and as a Merseyside Member, I agree with the hon. Member that probably all of us, regardless of party, recognise the very important place which the Grand National holds in the sporting life of the country. All of us, or most of us, would, I think, desire to see it continued—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—well, I said most—but of course the responsibility at the moment is primarily a local and turf matter, with Lancashire County Council holding the key position. Until the change in government in Lancashire County Council plans were advanced for a sports centre on the Grand National racecourse, but I understand that the newly set up council has other ideas.

Mr. Tilney

In the discussions taking place between the City of Liverpool and other interested parties, will the right hon. Gentleman give my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) pleasure by saying that the Government will help the City of Liverpool by giving it a grant to purchase this racecourse?

The Prime Minister

The racecourse is in the area of Lancashire County Council and we had high hopes from the discussions with Lancashire County Council and Liverpool City Council that this problem would be solved. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science has had a series of discussions with Lancashire County Council, Mrs. Topham and others. We must see what is the next move by the county council before deciding on the next step.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the Prime Minister recall that Eire and France have maintained their national steeplechases? Will steps be taken to see that Britain is not outdone by them?

The Prime Minister

No Merseyside hon. Member who visits his constituency at the week-end of the National can be other than fully cognisant of the interest which Irish breeders take in the National, sometimes with a successful result, but it would be in the interest of most of us that this historic racecourse should be safeguarded—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—I did say most—certainly most of my constituents take that view and I think most others, but we must see what Lancashire County Council is doing, in which case further consultations will be necessary.

Forward to