Horse Racing

Mr. Moss
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account was taken of the Jockey Club’s financial position in proposals to transfer functions to the new Horserace Regulatory Authority.

Mr. Caborn
This is a matter for the Jockey Club, which I understand has made an assessment of its financial position in relation to the transfer of its functions to the new Horserace Regulatory Authority.

Mr. Moss
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the horserace betting levy with EU legislation.

Mr. Caborn
The arrangements relating to the horserace betting levy were established before the UK joined the European Community. The European Commission keeps systems of aid under review in all member states but aids that pre-date a state's accession benefit from special rules. The Government are satisfied that the existing arrangements for the horserace betting levy are compatible with our obligations under the treaty establishing the European Community.

Mr. Moss
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of the Horserace Betting Levy on the sale of media rights by racecourses;

(2) whether she has reviewed the conclusions of the regulatory impact assessment of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004.

Mr. Caborn
The regulatory impact assessment published in December 2003 to accompany the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 contains consideration of the impact of the Horserace Betting Levy on the sale of pre-race data and television pictures by racing.

My Department will remain mindful of the conclusions of this regulatory impact assessment in any further consideration of the future of the Levy.

Mr. Moss
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when she will announce her decision on the future of the Horserace Betting Levy after 2009; and if she will make a statement;

(2) whether she plans to bring forward measures to vary the provisions of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 as it relates to the Horserace Betting Levy.

Mr. Caborn
No decision has been taken to extend the Horserace Betting Levy beyond 2009 nor to vary the provisions of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act, although the matter is under consideration by my Department following the publication of the phase two report of the Future Funding of Racing Review Group, Chaired by Lord Donoughue of Ashton.