§ Major Carverasked the Home Secretary, seeing that Section 3 (6) of the Racecourse Betting Act of 1928 provides that the Betting Control Board shall apply the moneys comprising the totalisator fund for the improvement of breeds of horses, or the sport of horse-racing, in accordance with the scheme approved by him, why he has approved the scheme set out in the board's report for 1938, under which only £16,150 is allocated for the improvement of breeds of horses, and £158,850 for the improvement of racecourses and racing; and whether, in connection with future allocations, he will ensure that a fairer balance is struck between the two allocations?
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that for 1938 the 2457W Racecourse Betting Control Board allocated from the totalisator fund towards the improvement of racecourses and racing a sum approximately 10 times greater than that which they allocated towards the improvement of horse-breeding; and whether, in view of the economic importance of encouraging and improving the breeding of all types of horses in this country he will henceforward use the powers which he possesses under Sub-section (6) of Section 3 of the Racecourse Betting Act to ensure that in any future allocations from this fund the improvement of horse-breeding is regarded as of equal importance to the sport of horse-racing?
§ Mr. PeakeMy right hon. Friend's approval to the board's proposals was given after he had satisfied himself that the board had allocated the available funds to the various objects specified in the Act in the manner which appeared most advantageous. In addition to the sum of £16,150, the board made grants amounting to £3,987 towards horse-breeding from moneys recovered from the Inland Revenue Department. I would point out that the amounts allocated by the board for the improvement of horse-racing and the increase of stake money also operate to the furtherance of light horse-breeding. I understand that in fact the field within which direct grants towards horse-breeding can be made by the board is limited, but if my hon. Friends have any specific proposals to make in the matter, my right hon. Friend will submit them to the board for their examination.