HC Deb 19 July 1979 vol 970 cc778-9W
Sir Timothy Kitson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to implement the recommendations of a Royal Commission on gambling for the British horse racing authority.

Mr. Whitelaw

I have considered this recommendation very carefully in consultation with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State with responsibilities for sport. While I appreciate the attention given to this subject by the Royal Commission on gambling and the reasons which led it to propose a British horse racing authority, I have reached the conclusion that such an authority is not needed at the present time. I welcome the steps now being taken by the racing industry to establish a consultative body representative of all sectors of the industry, which would advise the Horserace Betting Levy Board. I very much hope that the industry will be able to come forward with agreed proposals for setting up such a body.

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