HC Deb 15 February 1990 vol 167 cc372-3W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will outline the investment plans for the distribution of the current levy of the Horserace Betting Levy Board monies; if such plans are inclusive of the £4 million surplus which has accrued; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what plans exist within the Horserace Betting Levy Board for the improvement of catering and accommodation facilities for stable staff; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what proposals are under consideration to allocate funds from the Horserace Betting Levy Board for the establishment of pensions schemes for stable staff; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what proposals there are for the Horserace Betting Levy Board to make an investment in the company Satellite Information Services; and if he will make a statement;

(5) what proposals there are for the setting aside of funds of the Horserace Betting Levy Board for the provision of low-cost loans for stable staff accommodation; and if he will make a statement;

(6) who determines the distribution of the funds of the Horserace Betting Levy Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

It is the statutory duty of the Horserace Betting Levy Board itself to determine the distribution of its funds, for purposes conducive to one or more of the following:(a) the improvement of breeds of horses; (b) the advancement or encouragement of veterinary science or veterinary education; (c) the improvement of horse racing.

The following information has been provided by the board. The board has no expenditure plans as to: Satellite Information Services; the establishment of pensions schemes for stable staff; or loans to stable staff to purchase or rent accommodation.

As to capital expenditure on the improvement of catering and accommodation facilities for stable staff, the board accords a high priority to assisting race courses to improve, where necessary, their staff hostels and associated canteen facilities, and is discussing with Racing Welfare the possibility of assisting with housing projects for married staff at a number of racehorse training centres.

The board's next policy statement, which it aims to publish by the end of this month, will set out its heads of expenditure for 1990–91, including the expenditure of higher-than-forecast income from the horserace betting levy, and the relative priorities for those heads.