HL Deb 11 May 1994 vol 554 cc1561-3

2.51 p.m.

Baroness Strange asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make available some of the receipts from the greyhound betting levy to improve the curves in greyhound racing tracks so as to reduce the incidence of injury among greyhounds.

Lord Annaly

My Lords, there is no statutory levy in greyhound racing. The British Greyhound Racing Fund, which is a voluntary fund, was set up by the greyhound and bookmaking industries. This has provided money for improvements to tracks and is helping to raise standards in the sport. The welfare of racing greyhounds and the operation of the tracks are matters for the sport itself.

Baroness Strange

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for his kind, comprehensive, if not unexpected, reply; and for his personal generosity in being here to answer my Question. I admit that Her Majesty's Government are not in the business of rescuing and caring for old greyhounds. However, is my noble friend aware that on 28th April the National Canine Defence League hosted a meeting of all interested parties including NGRC Race Course Promoters Limited, British Greyhound Racing Trust Fund, the Independent Track Promoters Association, the Greyhound Breeders Forum, the National Association of Greyhound Owners, the RSPCA, the British Veterinary Association, the Blue Cross, the Kennel Club, Battersea Dogs' Home and Wood Green Animal Shelter? They all agree on a charter for greyhounds and they all pressed for a betting levy to give them parity with race horses, who are also dumb animals, but with a stronger lobby.

Lord Annaly

My Lords, I am delighted to answer a Question at any stage from my noble friend. From the list of organisations mentioned by my noble friend, there would already appear to be plenty of support for greyhounds.

Lord Kimball

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the noble Baroness's kind heart is misleading her? Is he further aware that every single application to the British Greyhound Racing Fund for improvements to the track, whether it is to the running surface or in the safety facilities, has been met promptly by the fund with a 50 per cent. grant towards the costs? As my noble friend has said, there is no levy. At the request of the Government, the money comes from the return by the bookmakers of 25 per cent. of the off-course betting duty which is given to the fund for the benefit of the sport.

Lord Annaly

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his remarks. The Government are fully aware of the splendid job which he is doing as chairman of the fund. We were pleased to learn of his reappointment earlier in the year. The fund has led to improvements in standards in greyhound racing. We are surprised to hear that some of the tracks are so well off that they can afford to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Lord Peston

My Lords., it is quite a few years since I first went to the "dogs". I am very intrigued by the Question. As someone who went racing, I do not recall finding that the curves on the track were a problem. Can the noble Lord enlighten us as to whether the tightness of the bends is a serious risk to the dogs? Is this a situation which has persisted and nothing has been done about it? I seem to remember that the dogs negotiated the bends rather well and that that was the whole point of the exercise. Can the Minister say whether there is any factual basis to the Question at all?

Lord Annaly

My Lords, I understand from the recent forum run by the National Canine Defence League that this point was brought up. Over the racing life of a greyhound, which is four years at the most, there can be effects on the muscles and bones.

Baroness Mallalieu

My Lords, since I understand that there are more discarded former racing greyhounds passing through dog rescue organisations than any other single breed, will the Minister accept that there is no room for complacency about the present position? What further steps are Her Majesty's Government proposing to take to encourage the greyhound racing industry to make proper provision for those dogs when their short careers are over?

Lord Annaly

My Lords, I share the noble Baroness's anxiety on this subject; but what happens to dogs after their racing careers have ended is a matter for the owners themselves. It is not against the law to have a dog humanely destroyed. For most people, owning and running a greyhound is a hobby which they enjoy. It is not a great money-making exercise.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

My Lords, I have looked after a discarded dog after its racing years (and there are many of them). Can the Minister say whether the money could go from the running of greyhound races on Sundays to a benevolent fund for ex-racing greyhounds?

Lord Annaly

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that interesting question. At the moment there are no plans to do that because the fund which we have already discussed is donating money towards the welfare of greyhounds.

Baroness Strange

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that that gallant old dog lover, the noble Lord, Lord Houghton of Sowerby, with whom I spoke this morning, also supports this Question? He hopes to be with your Lordships, to whom he sends his greetings, next month.

Lord Annaly

My Lords, we welcome the good news of the noble and dog loving Lord and look forward to his return.