BRITISH RACING AND THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING

Early day motion 1698, tabled 16 September 2003 by Richard Page (Conservative). Signed by 98 members.

That this House recognises that British racing is enjoyed by millions of people and that racing and betting together provide 100,000 jobs in the UK; notes that racecourse attendances are the highest since the 1950s, that there are more fixtures, races and runners than 10 years ago and that horserace betting turnover and prize money are at record levels; is alarmed that the Office of Fair Trading's recent report on horseracing seeks to dismantle the structure of governance that has been the foundation of the sport's growth and ensured the highest international standards of integrity; believes that the Office of Fair Trading's intervention would lead to course closures, job losses, the decimation of National Hunt racing, the loss of overseas and domestic investment and a steep decline in the quality of British racing; and calls on the Government to support British racing in its continuing commitment to modernise and provide a world class sporting product for consumers to enjoy without unnecessary and damaging intervention from the Office of Fair Trading.

Signatures by party: Labour 43, Conservative 35, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 3, Scottish National Party 2, Independent Conservative 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.