§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many greyhound race courses are owned by companies involved in the business of off-course bookmaking; and which of these greyhound race courses supply betting services to the off-course betting shops in the same ownership.
§ Mr. Peter LloydCompanies have no obligation to inform the Home Office of their ownership of greyhound tracks. Certain information of the character of that requested is, however, recorded in "Grand Metropolitan plc and William Hill Organisation Ltd. A report on the merger situation" (Cm. 776), by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission which was published in August last year and a copy of which is in the Library.
That information relates to the supply of daytime greyhound racing meetings by greyhound track promoters under annual contract to Bookmaker Afternoon Greyhound Services Ltd. (BAGS). I understand that, following the subsequent acquisition of William Hill by Brent Walker plc of the 10 greyhound tracks which at present have contracts with BAGS, five are owned and operated by companies which own off-course bookmaking companies. Coverage of meetings at all 10 tracks is available, via Satellite Information Services, to licensed betting offices in general.