Written question asked by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Monday, 15 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has received any representations to extend the life of the Horserace Betting Levy Board; what discussions she has had with the British Horseracing Board about the recent European Court of Justice decision concerning modernisation of British horseracing; and what the conclusions were; what assessment she has made of the impact the recent European Court of Justice ruling will have on the implementation of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004; what assessment she has made of the impact of the recent European Court of Justice ruling on the modernisation of British horseracing.

Answer: Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) whether she has received any representations to extend the life of the Horserace Betting Levy Board; [199050] (2) what discussions she has had with the British Horseracing Board about the recent European Court of Justice decision concerning modernisation of British horseracing; and what the conclusions were; [199051] (3) what assessment she has made of the impact the recent European Court of Justice ruling will have on the implementation of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004; [199052] (4) what assessment she has made of the impact of the recent European Court of Justice ruling on the modernisation of British horseracing. [199053] Mr. Caborn: Following the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice in relaxation to database rights the British Horseracing Board asked the Government to extend the Horserace Betting Levy. The Government is not currently persuaded that the ruling provides sufficient reason to suspend the planned timetable for the implementation of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act; but I met the Chairman of the Board on 15 November to discuss the implications of the ruling. We agreed to meet again to discuss this issue further in the light of the full assessment, which the Board will now be undertaking.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 426 c1797W;426 c1801W; 199050;199051;199052;199053
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: British Horseracing Board Horserace Betting Levy Board Horse racing Judgements Modernisation European Court of Justice
Legislation: Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk