Schedule 4 - Abolition of the Horserace Betting Levy System: Consequential Amendments
Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill
10:45 am
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
Again, I shall be interested to hear what the Minister says in reply. I am glad that the hon. Lady raises welfare concerns, as she and my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough did earlier.
Many of the animal welfare organisations, not only the RSPCA but organisations such as the International League for the Protection of Horses, do worthwhile welfare work, including in some cases arranging for the care of former racehorses. As I regularly find myself driving past the ILPH headquarters near Snetterton when visiting my farming family in Norfolk, I thought that this would be a useful opportunity to place on record the important work that some of those charities do. I see the hon. Lady nodding. I know that she is aware of the issues.
I look forward to hearing what the Minister says. I agree with the hon. Lady that racing has a good animal welfare record. This small group of amendments gives us a good opportunity to place on record the worthwhile work that racing, those connected with racing and reputable animal welfare charities do in this area.