§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has about the number of cases of drug misuse involving animals within the racing industry since 1979.
(2) if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to misuse restricted drugs, particularly steroids, in the horse and dog racing industries; and if he will make a statement.
(3) if he has received any request for funds from the horse and dog racing industries to help combat the misuse of drugs on either race horses or dogs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 18 January, 1988, c. 564]If drugs are used on racing animals, in appropriate circumstances conspiracy to defraud could be charged. The Law Commission, in its working paper number 104, has asked for views on whether this law should be reformed and, in particular, whether gambling swindles involving drugs on animals should be covered by statutory offences. My right hon. Friend will consider its advice in due course. We do not have occasion to collect information about the incidence of positive tests for drugs in horses and dogs which are raced. But I understand such information is made available, respectively by the Jockey Club in its weekly "Calendar" and annual report, and by 7W the British Greyhound Racing Board in its fortnightly "Calendar." We have received no request to contribute to the relevant expenditure by the industries.