HC Deb 07 February 1956 vol 548 cc168-9W
Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the value of unclaimed totalisator dividends held by the Racecourse Betting Control Board; how long such dividends are held by the board; and what ultimately becomes of them.

Major Lloyd-George

Under the Board's rules, winnings are payable for a period of 10 days after the day of issue, but claims after the expiry of that period may be paid by concession. At the end of each year, the sum representing the winnings unclaimed and out of time is paid into the Totalisator Fund and is available for distribution in accordance with the statutory provisions. The amount so paid in respect of 1955 was £35,534.

Wing Commander Bullus

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total amount invested with the totalisators operated by the Racecourse Betting Control Board during 1954 and 1955; and how much money went in each year to the improvement in the breeding of racehorses and how much to racecourse managements.

Major Lloyd-George

The information is as follows:

1954 1955
£ £
Totalisator turnover 24,822,498 23,862,716
Amounts paid to race course managements; Out of the Race-course Fund under schemes approved by the Home Secretary 294,245 420,707
In respect of site rents and facilities 124,305 123,483
The sums paid to racecourse managements include contributions to prize money amounting to £103,413 and £119,937 for 1954 and 1955 respectively. These sums indirectly help to improve the breeding of racehorses. In addition, a sum of £22,000 was paid in each year to the Hunters Improvement and National Light Horse Breeding Society.