Horse Racing
Culture Media and Sport
Written answers and statements, 28 June 2006
Malcolm Moss (Shadow Minister (Culture, Media & Sport), Culture, Media & Sport; North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultation (a) has taken place and (b) is planned on the extension of the horse racing levy beyond 2009; and with whom.
Richard Caborn (Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Sheffield Central, Labour)
No decision has been taken to extend of the Horserace Betting Levy beyond 2009, 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.
In order to inform this consideration the Review Group subsequently produced a further report (a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses) aimed at identifying improvements that could be made to the Levy Board's operation. The group received submissions from:
The Association of British Bookmakers
The British Horseracing Board
Gala Coral Group Plc
GG Media Ltd.
Industry Committee (Horseracing) Ltd.
Ladbrokes Plc
The National Association of Bookmakers
The National Trainers Federation
Northern Racing Ltd.
The Racecourse Association
The Racehorse Owners' Association
The Rails Bookmakers' Association
Satellite Information Services Ltd.
Timothy Hale (in support of the RCA)
Watson Bookmakers Ltd.
Weatherbys Ltd.
William Hill Plc
Should the Government decide to extend the levy beyond 2009 further consultation will be carried out.