Written question asked by Robert Walter (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 September 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2008. It was answered by Andy Burnham (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2008 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Horse Racing: Bookmakers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings there have been between his Department and the Racecourse Association on racecourse bookmakers since December 2007; and if he will place a copy of the minutes of each such meeting in the Library.

Answer: The Existing Betting Areas Working Party, chaired by an independent Chairman, Sholto Douglas-Home and containing representatives from the Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers (FRB) met seven times on 14 January, 22 January, 5 February, 18 February, 27 February, 27 March and 18 April 2008. DCMS officials provided secretariat for these meetings.On 30 April, the Department published a table containing a final position statement summarising the agreed positions of the FRB and RCA on all the key issues discussed during the Working Party meetings. I am placing further copies of this position statement in the House Library. It can also be viewed on the DCMS website at:"http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Existing bettingareasworkingpartyFinal.pdf"It is intended that the position statement will be used to guide individual discussions that are taking place between racecourses and on-course bookmakers. I, therefore, do not believe it is necessary to place the full Working Party minutes in the House Library.

Secondary information