Simon Hart
Main Page: Simon Hart (Conservative - Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire)(13 years, 4 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Matthew Hancock
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, and the relationship with greyhound racing—in which racing has again lost out in recent years—is an important consideration.
Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) (Con)
Another form of racing that has not had a mention yet, but which is important in this context, is the amateur version—point-to-point. Some 4,000 horses are in training and it has a huge social and economic relevance to this debate. Will my hon. Friend comment on its relevancy?
Matthew Hancock
Most betting on point-to-point racing happens on course, and bookies who go on course pay for the privilege, so there is a transfer from betting to racing there. I adore point-to-point as a good day out and I hope that it is properly financed in future. It needs to be part of the mix, but we should recognise that most of the betting in point-to-point is on course.