HL Deb 14 February 1980 vol 405 cc472-4WA
Lord WIGG

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in the light of Mr. Aglionby's statement that various transmission procedures, malpractice and improper practice operated by the Horserace Totalisator Board did not involve any breach of statutory provision or the common law they propose to strengthen the law to render such activities illegal; and whether they will make a statement.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)

We do not consider that it would be appropriate to propose further statutory provisions in this field.

Lord WIGG

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state the reasons for Mr. Aglionby's conclusions that the various transmission procedures operated by the Horserace Totalisator Board did not involve any breach of statutory provision or the common law.

Lord BELSTEAD

I understand that Mr. Aglionby had in mind that there is no requirement in the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1972, or at common law, that bets must be put into the pool before the start of the race or at any other time.

Lord WIGG

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the evidence received by Mr. Aglionby's inquiry into the Horserace Totalisator Board.

Lord BELSTEAD

No. I understand that evidence was given on the basis that it would be treated in confidence.

Lord WIGG

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Law Officers of the Crown consider in the light of the conclusion of Mr. Aglionby that the Horserace Totalisator Board have been guilty of malpractice by omitting losing money from the pools, that there has been a breach of Section 14(3) of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963; and

Whether the Law Officers of the Crown have considered in the light of the conclusion of Mr. Aglionby that Tote Credit Limited abused the procedure for laying off bets by failing to place losing bets into the pool, there having been breaches of Section 14(3) of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963; and

Whether the Law Officers of the Crown consider in the light of the conclusion of Mr. Aglionby that the Horserace Totalisator Board have been guilty of improper practice in transmitting to pools bets which bore no relation to bets received from clients and which were intended to reduce artificially the dividend, there have been breaches of Section 14(3) of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963.

Lord BELSTEAD

Mr. Aglionby found the various transmission procedures operated by the Tote did not involve any breach of any statutory provision. In the circumstances my right honourable friend sees no need to refer the matter to the Law Officers of the Crown.

Lord WIGG

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of Mr. Aglionby's report and the need for supervision of the activities of the Horserace Totalisator Board, they will introduce legislation to repeal Section 3 of the Horserace Totalisator and Betting Levy Boards Act 1972.

Lord BELSTEAD

We see no need to do so.

Lord WIGG

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of Mr. Aglionby's conclusion that monies were omitted from the pools, the Law Officers of the Crown will request the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider prosecuting the Horserace Totalisator Board for obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception, contrary to Section 16 of the Theft Act 1968, and for false accounting, contrary to Section 17 of that Act.

Lord BELSTEAD

No. Mr. Aglionby found that the chairman and members of the board were ignorant of the abuses to which he has drawn attention.