Chamber
Plenary, 08 Jan 2004
08 Jan 2004 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Horse Racing Industry
First of all, I want to join in the chorus of appreciation to Susan Deacon for securing this afternoon's debate and for her eloquent introductory speech. The fact that we have cross-party support for saving the horse racing industry in Scotland is very encouraging. Indeed, it was a treat to hear a Tory stand up and defend the need for continued regulation to save one of our industries. I have no doubt that that is the end of John Scott's career in the Tory party, but it was worth while.
At this point, I must declare an interest. I live in Ayr and one of the constituencies that I cover as a list member is Hamilton North and Bellshill. The courses in both those areas are equally supreme in the service that they provide to Scotland.
John Scott and Michael McMahon have already referred to the investment that is being made in those two racecourses and Susan Deacon mentioned the investment that is being made in others. At this stage, it would be wholly inappropriate for any government organisation to do anything that would endanger the level and quality of investment that is being made in this industry north and south of the border.
If we include today's House of Commons debate, this members' business debate is the third on this issue since the Office of Fair Trading's stupid report and recommendation. The House of Commons also debated the matter on 18 September 2003 and, as I understand it from that debate, it very much shares our opinion that the Office of Fair Trading's report and recommendation should be consigned to the dustbin.
This is not the first time that we have had problems with the Office of Fair Trading. This time last year, we were talking about the need to defend our pharmacies against its recommendations. We eventually won that battle; we must win this battle too.
Members have already mentioned the economic impact report of the horse racing industry in Scotland. As the figures have already been quoted, I will not repeat them—after all, I received the same briefing as everyone else—but I should point out that the issue does not just centre on the economic impact of this recommendation. Horse racing is as much a social and cultural activity as it is an industry. It might not be as highfalutin' as Scottish Opera or Scottish Ballet, but it is much more culturally important to those of us from a working-class background than those other aspects of our cultural life, important as they are. A day at the races is not just for punters, it is a family affair. For many families, it is a day out for maw, paw and the weans. It would be a great tragedy if we had to accept the recommendations of the OFT—or the office of foolish trading—and destroy a good industry that is expanding in Scotland.
As a result, I hope that the minister will join us in sending a loud and clear message to his colleagues in the UK Government that, as far as Scotland is concerned, the OFT's recommendation is wholly unacceptable and that we want it to be consigned to the dustbin. In fact, if I was going to make a bet now, I would bet that the minister will agree to that and join us in putting the pressure on down south to ensure that that happens.
At this point, I must declare an interest. I live in Ayr and one of the constituencies that I cover as a list member is Hamilton North and Bellshill. The courses in both those areas are equally supreme in the service that they provide to Scotland.
John Scott and Michael McMahon have already referred to the investment that is being made in those two racecourses and Susan Deacon mentioned the investment that is being made in others. At this stage, it would be wholly inappropriate for any government organisation to do anything that would endanger the level and quality of investment that is being made in this industry north and south of the border.
If we include today's House of Commons debate, this members' business debate is the third on this issue since the Office of Fair Trading's stupid report and recommendation. The House of Commons also debated the matter on 18 September 2003 and, as I understand it from that debate, it very much shares our opinion that the Office of Fair Trading's report and recommendation should be consigned to the dustbin.
This is not the first time that we have had problems with the Office of Fair Trading. This time last year, we were talking about the need to defend our pharmacies against its recommendations. We eventually won that battle; we must win this battle too.
Members have already mentioned the economic impact report of the horse racing industry in Scotland. As the figures have already been quoted, I will not repeat them—after all, I received the same briefing as everyone else—but I should point out that the issue does not just centre on the economic impact of this recommendation. Horse racing is as much a social and cultural activity as it is an industry. It might not be as highfalutin' as Scottish Opera or Scottish Ballet, but it is much more culturally important to those of us from a working-class background than those other aspects of our cultural life, important as they are. A day at the races is not just for punters, it is a family affair. For many families, it is a day out for maw, paw and the weans. It would be a great tragedy if we had to accept the recommendations of the OFT—or the office of foolish trading—and destroy a good industry that is expanding in Scotland.
As a result, I hope that the minister will join us in sending a loud and clear message to his colleagues in the UK Government that, as far as Scotland is concerned, the OFT's recommendation is wholly unacceptable and that we want it to be consigned to the dustbin. In fact, if I was going to make a bet now, I would bet that the minister will agree to that and join us in putting the pressure on down south to ensure that that happens.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S2M-474, in the name of Susan Deacon, on the horse racing industry in Scotland.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises the significant contribution that the horse racing industry makes to the economy, generating up to £125 million annually and p...
Susan Deacon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) (Lab):
Lab
I am sure that some members, when they were recovering from their mince pies and turkey, might have settled down at Christmas time to watch "The Great Escape...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
A significant number of members want to take part in the debate, so I am moving the time for speeches to four minutes.
John Scott (Ayr) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Susan Deacon on securing today's important debate. It is important that the issues surrounding racing are debated here in the Parliament becau...
Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab):
Lab
I join John Scott in congratulating Susan Deacon on securing this evening's debate. Members' business debates are of vital importance to the work of MSPs in ...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
First of all, I want to join in the chorus of appreciation to Susan Deacon for securing this afternoon's debate and for her eloquent introductory speech. The...
Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab):
Lab
I join colleagues from all parties in congratulating Susan Deacon on securing this very important debate. Indeed, the debate must be important, because this ...
Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP):
SSP
Like other members, I welcome the debate and congratulate Susan Deacon on her motion. I knew that a day would come when spending my teenage years in the book...
Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (LD):
LD
I add to those of other members my congratulations to Susan Deacon on securing this debate. I express my appreciation to the minister for allowing me to say ...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
I do not have a direct constituency interest in horse racing—although there are many horses in my constituency, including some extremely successful racehorse...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
Does the member agree that George Orwell was right when he said in "Animal Farm","Four legs good, two legs bad"?
Dr Murray:
Lab
I think that that depends on the two legs.At present, equestrian sports and physical activities face some significant barriers. Although this evening's debat...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I commend Susan Deacon for her motion, which I was happy to sign, and I congratulate her on securing the debate.Four of the five Scottish racecourses have be...
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Mr Frank McAveety):
Lab
As other members have done, I welcome the debate and congratulate Susan Deacon on bringing it to the chamber. The debate springs from a discussion that we ha...
Stewart Stevenson rose—
SNP
Mr McAveety:
Lab
I see Stewart Stevenson rising to intervene. I shall accept his intervention, but I hope that it will not be about the George Orwell book that has now been c...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
I am probably the member who has least connection with racing, but I have a powerful advocate of racing as one of my constituents and he used to speak here o...
Mr McAveety:
Lab
Funnily enough, I was just coming to the ghost of Christmas past. I am reminded of a discussion that I had at Musselburgh with Alex Salmond. We were discussi...
Meeting closed at 18:03.