Racing Stall Handlers

EDM number 1150 in 2005-06, proposed by Alan Meale on 29/11/2005.

That this House is aware that currently the UK's horserace courses are experiencing excellent economic growth with attendances annually in excess of six million customers and revenue turnover predicted to exceed £300 million a year by 2008, healthy factors which are also reflected by winning owners' increased prize-monies levels, and buoyant subsidiary horse sales and breeding industries; is therefore concerned about recent events which have arisen because of a decision of the Horse Race Betting Levy Board, a non-governmental organisation, to cut funding for starting stalls functioning from its lists of integrity related grants, an action that has led subsequently to the break-up of previously tried and trusted methods of delivering such services managed on a not for profit basis by Race Tech Services Ltd for the industry; is alarmed by recent reports which point to a serious lowering of standards in related employment practices in this area, particularly in respect of health and safety; and calls upon the Government immediately to investigate the situation in the interests of owners, trainers, jockeys and especially those stall handlers who work in the industry.

This motion has been signed by a total of 41 MPs.