Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Jeff Ennis (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 21 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Tote

Question: My right hon. Friend will recall that the hon. Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) and I have already written to the European Competition Commissioner about this very matter in our capacity as joint chairs of the all-party racing and bloodstock group. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the onward sale of the Tote to a British racing trust at a fair price—““fair”” being the operative word—is essential if British horse racing is to continue to thrive in future?

Answer: My hon. Friend, who takes a close interest in the issue, is right. It is in the Tote's interest and, we believe, in the interests of racing that the Tote should be sold to a racing trust. The obstacle with the Commission is the issue of a fair price, which is under negotiation. I am sorry that I cannot be more forthcoming, but the Commission's investigations are under way and have not yet reached a conclusion.

Secondary information