HC Deb 22 January 1942 vol 377 cc444-5W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that at a recent race meeting at Cheltenham, under National Hunt Rules, there were 64 runners, and that the grand total investment of the totalisator was £17,000, he will issue an order prohibiting all betting transactions as inconsistent with the Prime Minister's appeal for total war effort?

Mr. H. Morrison

Whatever arguments there may be for amendment of the laws relating to betting, I do not think that the war powers conferred on the Government could properly be used to effect the changes desired by my hon. Friend. As regards the number of horses running at the race meeting to which he refers, the reduced opportunities for racing have, as I explained on 27th November, resulted in an increase in the number of entries at individual meetings.