asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the application for exemption from the ban upon mid-week greyhound racing by the Oxford Stadium, Limited, was rejected; and what was the recommendation from the regional board which considered the application.

The Southern Regional Board for Industry was prepared to agree to meetings at the Oxford Stadium on midweek evenings, but after consultation with my colleagues concerned with production, I was not satisfied that the relaxation proposed was unlikely to lead to any substantial interference with industrial production.

Will the Minister say why he has overruled the regional board? The application was for race meetings on Tuesday and Friday evenings only. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my constituents only go to the dogs after a good hard day's work?

I should have thought that by voting for the hon. and gallant Member, they had gone a good way towards the dogs. The final responsibility in this matter does not rest with the regional board. They tender advice, to which I must have regard. As a result of considering all the advice, I came to the conclusion that this application should not be granted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his remark was very unnecessary? If these regional boards are to be overruled, what purpose do they serve?