asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their objectives in selling the Tote include retaining support for the racing industry and jobs in Tote headquarters in Wigan as well as getting value for the taxpayer. [HL3711]

As announced in the Written Statement to the House on 5 March, the overriding criterion for the Tote's privatisation will be to maximise value for the taxpayer while remaining sensitive to the interests of racing and employment.