Letter from the Racecourse Association
to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport—17 December
2007
LIST POSITION
WORKING PARTY
I am writing, as promised, to confirm our conversation
earlier this week. The RCA remains supportive of the DCMS' proposal
to establish a Working Party to discuss future commercial arrangements
between racecourses and on-course bookmakers for existing betting
areas (the Working Party). We further support your recommendation
for an independent Chairman. We have received your draft terms
of reference and our comments are attached.[8]
I was heartened by your assurance that the DCMS
would not consider a Statutory Instrument for the time being,
as we believe that would undermine the work of the Working Party.
As I explained, the RCA believes that an SI is not the right approach,
and we would obviously reserve our right to take appropriate steps
should this be necessary. We firmly believe there are commercial
solutions to these matters.
We also believe that it will be easier to find
a solution if the RCA and FRB understand how the on-course betting
market might develop between now and 2012. We are in early discussions
with the FRB about setting up a study into this which could run
in parallel with the Working Party. We will keep you informed
of developments.
As I explained, with a view to providing further
impetus to the Working Party and further discussions with the
FRB, the RCA would be prepared, without prejudice, to set aside
for the duration of the working party its March 2007 statement
on list positions provided the FRB is also prepared to contemplate
a world where, although list positions may have some relevance
in 2012, they would not continue in perpetuity.
I am also pleased to advise that we have begun
informal discussions with the FRB on commercial arrangements post-2012.
It is early in the process but we have made a positive start.
As these discussions progress we will keep the Working Party and
the DCMS fully informed.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
In the light of their interest in the matter, I am copying this
letter to Jeff Ennis, MP and John Greenway, MP, joint Chairmen
of the All Party Racing Group and John Whittingdale, Chairman
of the CMS Select Committee.
8 Not printed. Back
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