§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what assessment she has made of the impact on greyhound racing of the decision to allow a second weekly national lottery draw, in respect of(a) attendances (b) the number of greyhound tracks (c) employment in the Industry (d) total revenue accruing to greyhound racing (e) greyhound racing profitability and (f) taxation revenue; [2318]
(2) what assessment she has made as to the impact on the off-course greyhound betting Industry of the introduction of a second weekly national lottery draw. [2275]
§ Mr. SproatMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no such assessment. Under section 4 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Director General of the National Lottery has a duty to exercise his functions in the manner he considers most likely to secure that the national lottery is run with all due propriety, that the interests of participants in the lottery are protected, and subject to these to maximise the revenue to the good causes. The director general judged that the introduction of a midweek draw would be consistent with these duties.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to meet representatives of the greyhound racing industry to discuss the impact of a second weekly national lottery draw on off-course and on-course betting.[2237]
§ Mr. SproatMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet the greyhound racing industry. Responsibility for greyhound racing and the gaming industry in general is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.