HC Deb 18 May 1989 vol 153 cc253-4W
Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated turnover of off-course betting on greyhound racing for 1989.

Mr. John Patten

The Home Office is not in a position to make an estimate of the proportion of off-course betting attributable to greyhound racing.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will announce if there will be an inquiry into greyhound racing finances;

(2) how many representations he has received in favour of an inquiry into greyhound racing finances.

Mr. John Patten

Between November 1988, when the British Greyhound Racing Board launched a campaign for an inquiry into the finances of greyhound racing (and of horseracing) and their relationship to off-course betting, and 15 May, we have received 13 letters from Members of Parliament in support of or asking about such an inquiry. In addition, in that period there have been two earlier questions asking if such an inquiry is to be established, and early-day motion 185, which calls on the Government to undertake awider inquiry into off-course bookmaking and the feasibility of a levy for greyhound racing".

In his reply on 22 March to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Holt), my right hon. Friend said that he would announce his conclusion on the recommendation from the Government-appointed members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board that there should be an inquiry into the long-term funding of racing when he had received and considered advice from Lloyds merchant bank as to the feasibility of privatising the Horserace Totalisator Board. Whether or not the financing of greyhound racing should be included in such an inquiry is among the considerations which my right hon. Friend is taking into account.