HL Deb 22 June 1990 vol 520 cc1250-2

4.37 p.m.

Lord Skelmersdale rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 6th June be approved.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, this order seeks to provide financial assistance to Downpatrick racecourse by extending the scope of the Horse Racing Fund, established under the Horse Racing and Betting (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.

There are only two horse racecourses in Northern Ireland. Both are situated in County Down—one near Lisburn called Down Royal or more commonly "the Maze", and the other at Downpatrick. Prior to 1976 both racecourses received a small amount of government assistance. In the early 1970s the Jockey Club carried out a survey of racing in Northern Ireland and, in the light of its advice, it was decided to concentrate financial assistance for racing on Down Royal racecourse as it was considered to have the most potential for development. Financial support to Downpatrick was gradually withdrawn and the organ chosen to grant aid Down Royal was the Horse Racing and Betting (Northern Ireland) Order 1976. The fund is administered by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and is financed by annual contributions from bookmakers in Northern Ireland. It has provided financial assistance towards prize money for races and the costs of technical and personnel services required on race days as well as assistance towards the cost of improvements to the race track and facilities for participants and spectators.

Downpatrick Race Club however did not take this reversal in its fortunes lying down. Not only has it managed to continue operating the racecourse reasonably effectively and to remain financially viable, it has even managed to increase the number of race meetings held at the course in recent years.

That positive performance and contribution by Downpatrick racecourse has prompted a reconsideration of the decision to exclude it from financial assistance. The Government now consider that Downpatrick racecourse is an important element in the Northern Ireland horse-racing scene and that it is worthy of financial assistance from the Horse Racing Fund on a similar basis to Down Royal. This order therefore proposes to extend the scope of the Horse Racing Fund to include Downpatrick racecourse as well as Down Royal. Licensed bookmakers in Northern Ireland who finance the fund through annual contributions have been consulted and support the move to extend financial assistance to Downpatrick.

The Horse Racing and Betting (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 will therefore be repealed. The Horse Racing Fund will continue to be financed by annual contributions from bookmakers in Northern Ireland and administered by the Department of Agriculture. Financial assistance will be available towards prize money for races, the costs of technical and personnel services required on race days and works or facilities which may from time to time need to be carried out specifically to ensure that race meetings may take place in safe and secure conditions.

In short, this is an order which has universal approval. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 6th June be approved.—(Lord Skelmersdale.)

Lord Prys-Davies

My Lords, I can be brief on this matter. We unquestionably back this order.

Lord Fitt

My Lords, I have already complemented my noble friend Lord Prys-Davies on the interest which he takes in Northern Ireland. That was reflected in the debate which took place on the planning order, which he had obviously studied in such detail that he was able to discern two typing errors. I was not able to take part in that debate because I am not aware of all the circumstances which now exist in relation to planning regulations.

However, I believe that I can make a short contribution to this debate on horse racing and I should be able to speak with somewhat more authority in this than in other debates. It is with bated breath and a great degree of anxiety that I await the results this afternoon to see whether I have made yet another contribution to the bookmakers' funds in England and in Northern Ireland.

I remember when this legislation first went through Stormont and Downpatrick put up a fight to ensure its existence. As the Minister said, it did not take the reversal in its fortunes lying down. Many people make substantial contributions to the bookmakers' benevolent society, as I do six days a week, and if there is racing in France, seven days a week. When the legislation first went through it was universally welcomed in Northern Ireland. At that time there was religious opposition to horse racing in any form, whether at the Maze or Downpatrick. That legislation contributed to the continuation of Downpatrick as a race course. That has been to the benefit of everyone who is interested, as I am, in that activity. It has not in any way led to a falling-off in religious beliefs as we were told at the time might occur by those who believed that horse racing should be abolished for religious reasons.

No one could disagree with this order. As I said, I have placed bets in Northern Ireland, and I hope that I have not made yet another contribution to the bookmaker's taxi fare home and another box of cigars.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords. It is always rather dicey for a Minister introducing an order to say, as I did, that the order has universal approval. The Minister may then find that the wrath of the House comes down on his or her head. This is not such an occasion and I commend the order, universally, to your Lordships' House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.