§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent funds available to the Levy Board under the Betting Levy 118W Act 1961 for asssisting horse breeding societies, veterinary education and the improvement of horse racing are greater than those available to the Race-course Betting Control Board under the 1928 Act; what specific arrangements are being made by the Levy Board to provide funds; and how the allocation is made for each of the approved societies concerned with light horse and pony breeding, and heavy horse breeding, respectively.
§ Mr. WoodhouseThe amount available for distribution as a result of totalisator operations in 1961 (the last complete year before the levy on bookmakers came into force) was £613,000. The amount available for distribution as a result of totalisator operations and the levy on bookmakers during the present levy period ending on 31st March, 1964, is estimated at £2,350,000.
In the previous levy period ended on 31st March, 1963, the Board was considering its long-term scheme for the improvement of horse racing and meanwhile grants for this purpose were made at much the same rates as in previous years. In consequence, a reserve was created of £1,400,000 and carried forward into the present levy period. The total sum to be distributed is allocated as follows:
£ (a) the improvement of breeds of horses 35,800 (b) the advancement or encouragement of veterinary science or veterinary education 81,000 (c) the improvement of horse racing (including the reserve of £1,400.000) 3,393,000 The detailed allocations under (a) are as follows:
£ Thoroughbred Breeders Association 5,000 Arab Horse Society 550 The Hunters Improvement and National Light Horse Breeding Society 23,000 Highland Pony Society 350 National Pony Society 3,500 Shetland Pony Stud Book Society 200 Welsh Pony and Cob Society 500 British Percheron Horse Society 500 Cleveland Bay Horse Society 500 Clydesdale Horse Society of Great Britain and Ireland 500 Hackney Horse Society 250 Shire Horse Society 500 Suffolk Horse Society 450