22 November 2011
This morning, George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, and son of Arthur Freeman the Grand National winning Jockey (1958 on ‘Mr What’), joined a Westminster Hall debate on the funding of horse racing.
During the debate George spoke up for the economic importance of the industry, stating that it would be criminally negligent to allow the decline of such a key industry at a time when the UK should be doing all it can to support the economy.
He also described the significance of racing to the rural economy of the UK, highlighting local courses in Norfolk such as Fakenham, Point to Points, Hunts, and the feed and equipment market and income provided for suppliers.
Speaking after the debate George Freeman said:
“Coming from a racing family, this issue is extremely important to me. National Hunt racing is something we should be proud of and support. It makes up a huge part of our rural character and is also a huge industry for the UK. I was pleased to see so much support during the debate and will continue to monitor the progress of this issue.”
FULL TEXT:
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Thank you for the opportunity to speak, Mr Williams. I am sorry that I was a little late. I shall keep my comments short.
I add my support for my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock) and congratulate him on raising the issue of an important industry and a vital part of our heritage. When the Government and all of us are stretching every sinew to promote growth in the country, it seems criminally negligent to allow the decline of a great industry that we already have. On a personal note, as the proud son of a former grand national-winning jockey who had the privilege of riding for Her Majesty the Queen Mother, it is a chance to remind ourselves of the great heritage of this great sport. My point is about the importance of national hunt racing in the rural economy. Low prize money is a particularly acute problem, and the whole pyramid of small trainers, point-to-points, hunts, pony clubs, hauliers and feed suppliers in a constituency such as mine is essential to underpin our rural economy and rural communities.
| Hansard
During the debate George spoke up for the economic importance of the industry, stating that it would be criminally negligent to allow the decline of such a key industry at a time when the UK should be doing all it can to support the economy.
He also described the significance of racing to the rural economy of the UK, highlighting local courses in Norfolk such as Fakenham, Point to Points, Hunts, and the feed and equipment market and income provided for suppliers.
Speaking after the debate George Freeman said:
“Coming from a racing family, this issue is extremely important to me. National Hunt racing is something we should be proud of and support. It makes up a huge part of our rural character and is also a huge industry for the UK. I was pleased to see so much support during the debate and will continue to monitor the progress of this issue.”
FULL TEXT:
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Thank you for the opportunity to speak, Mr Williams. I am sorry that I was a little late. I shall keep my comments short.
I add my support for my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock) and congratulate him on raising the issue of an important industry and a vital part of our heritage. When the Government and all of us are stretching every sinew to promote growth in the country, it seems criminally negligent to allow the decline of a great industry that we already have. On a personal note, as the proud son of a former grand national-winning jockey who had the privilege of riding for Her Majesty the Queen Mother, it is a chance to remind ourselves of the great heritage of this great sport. My point is about the importance of national hunt racing in the rural economy. Low prize money is a particularly acute problem, and the whole pyramid of small trainers, point-to-points, hunts, pony clubs, hauliers and feed suppliers in a constituency such as mine is essential to underpin our rural economy and rural communities.
| Hansard
