§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that within a radius of two or three miles of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, applications are being made for the laying down of three new dog-tracks; whether the Government are pre-prepared to allow labour and material for this purpose; how many dog-tracks have been laid down in this country since the beginning of the war; and what is the Government's attitude towards this matter?
§ Mr. MabaneI am aware of the applications and had already instituted inquiries. One of the proposed tracks is within the Chester-le-Street planning area and the urban district council have refused their consent. I am assured that an application to the Ministry of Works and Buildings for a licence for constructional work to build a dog-racing track would be refused in accordance with the general 763W policy of granting licences only to essential work. I have no information that any tracks have been laid down in this country since the beginning of the war.