HC Deb 10 November 1992 vol 213 cc687-8W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take to promote the well-being of greyhound racing.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The promotion of greyhound racing is the responsibility of the industry itself. However, when general betting duty was reduced in the Budget, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer expressed the hope that voluntary arrangements could be made for some of the money to go to greyhound racing. We understand that negotiations between greyhound racing and bookmakers are continuing in an effort to devise suitable arrangements for that purpose.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress with the voluntary agreement between the off-course bookmakers and the greyhound racing industry over the transfer of the 0.25 per cent. reduction in betting duty introduced in April.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

We understand that negotiations between the off-course bookmakers and the greyhound racing industry to devise suitable voluntary arrangements are continuing. We have been kept informed of developments, and hope that the negotiations can be brought to a successful conclusion in the near future.