§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the powers of the Horserace Betting Levy Board with regard to the National Joint Council for Stable Staff; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will conduct a scrutiny of the role played by the Trainers Federation during current pay negotiations at the National Joint Council for Stable Lads; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what is his policy towards making Horserace Betting Levy Board money payable to trainers through travelling expenses; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what steps have been taken to ascertain the requirements of trainers of further financial assistance from the Horserace Betting Levy Board; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what steps he has taken to ensure a full investigation by the Horserace Betting Levy Board of the circumstances whereby trainers have been unable to fund pay awards over the last decade; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 19 December 1989]: The levy board has no powers in relation to the National Joint Council for Stable Staff. It is not for my right hon. and learned Friend to scrutinise the Trainers Federation. The levy board does not provide financial assistance direct to trainers of race horses. It is for the board to consider whether to re-introduce travelling expenses for trainers. It is also for the board to decide what, if any, information about the training industry may be relevant to its duties.