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The Tote

The point is that the right hon. Gentleman was the Minister, and the industry has suffered because no decision was made. ““Sorry, guv, but it's not my fault””, does not wash. We need action. I do not want to be talking to the Minister in seven years and hearing his big idea after he has been moved on to another job. We need action today—[Interruption.] The right hon. Gentleman points to his notes and says, ““This is the answer””, but where was it seven years ago? Why did he not come up with those ideas back then? Why does he wait until he has retired from his post before saying, ““I have finally woken up and thought of something that I can put forward””? It is very late in the day indeed. That is why the industry is fed up and frustrated with the Government—nothing has come forward. We need a conclusion to the saga. I remind the Minister what he said in November in response to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster):"““I can give the assurance that the hon. Member for Bath was looking for regarding what will happen if we do not sell the Tote to racing and it goes on the open market. The agreement was that 50 per cent. would go to the horse racing industry, and I am happy to put that on the record.””—[Official Report, Westminster Hall, 21 November 2007; Vol. 467, c. 134WH.]" I hope that he will confirm today that that will continue to be the case. I conclude by asking the Minister some questions. What is the current value of the Tote? He has already been asked that. What is the timetable for its sale? What advice has he received from Goldman Sachs? I understand that Goldman Sachs has produced an internal report, and we would very much like a copy of it. What impact will a review of fixed odds betting terminals have? They have not been mentioned, but they provide a phenomenal amount of money for bookies. Will a review affect the price, and how will it fit in with any timetable? Does the Minister endorse any of the proposals suggested, six years late, by the former Minister for Sport? I congratulate the former Minister on what has been a unique experience. He put his hands up and said, ““I got it wrong.”” I hope that is a new trend for the Government and former Ministers. I pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman's continued involvement in the industry. Many Ministers and hon. Members think, ““That's it, my portfolio has finished,”” and do not bother looking back. We should recognise that that is not the case with the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Central. As has been said again and again—I say this as the spokesman for the official Opposition—we share the goal of bringing the matter to a conclusion. However, I fear that with only 24 months left until the general election, it might not be a priority for the Prime Minister. I mention him because I do not believe that it will be left to the Minister to take the decision. The issue is similar to that of arcades. I know the Minister wanted a result with stakes and prizes, but it was the Prime Minister's Office that scuppered the final announcement. I hope that that will not be the case with this issue. Racing is said to be the sport of kings but, unfortunately, it has had a right royal kicking from the Government, as have the Tote, the levy and on-course bookies. I hope the Minister has some good news for us today.