HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc742-3W
Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) proportion and (b) number of greyhound races shown in betting shops are from racecourses owned by the major off-course betting companies. [12304]

Mr. George Howarth

Of the 9,646 greyhound races shown in betting shops in the year to 31 October 1997, 4,108–42.6 per cent.—will be from tracks owned by major off-course betting companies.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated shortfall in revenue to the British greyhound racing fund since 1992 resulting from certain bookmaking companies failing to contribute to the fund. [12311]

Mr. Howarth

The British Greyhound Racing Board estimates that the fund should have received £22 million since 1992 but has actually received £13.4 million, leaving a shortfall of £8.6 million in contributions.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bookmaking companies currently pay the agreed 0.4 per cent. contributions to the British greyhound racing fund. [12306]

Mr. Howarth

We understand that up to September 1996 the fund had received contributions from 97 bookmakers.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) proportion and (b) number of greyhound races shown in betting shops. [12313]

Mr. Howarth

In the year 1 November 1996 to 31 October 1997, 9,646 afternoon greyhound races will be transmitted from greyhound tracks into betting shops.

In 1996, 74,343 races were staged by National Greyhound Racing Club member tracks; 13 per cent. of these were shown in betting shops.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the contracting process between the bookmakers' afternoon greyhound services and the greyhound racecourses. [12303]

Mr. Howarth

We have no plans to review the contracting process between Bookmakers' Afternoon Greyhound Services and greyhound tracks. This is a commercial matter between them.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many National Greyhound Racing Club greyhound racecourses are currently in operation; and how many are owned by major off-course betting companies. [12312]

Mr. Howarth

Of the 32 National Greyhound Racing Club greyhound tracks currently in operation, four are owned by major off-course bookmakers.