National Lottery (Hansard, 23 May 1994)

§ 11. Mr. Deva
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects the national lottery to start.

§ Mr. Brooke
That will depend on the plans of the operator who is selected by the Director General of Oflot to run the national lottery. It is possible that the first lottery draw will be held at the end of 1994 or early in 1995.

§ Mr. Deva
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the high standard of bidders for the national lottery bodes well for its future and that it is recognised that there is great potential for success for the good causes that the lottery is designed to benefit?

§ Mr. Brooke
I have not had access to the bids, but I have no doubt that, quantitatively, distinguished organisations entered the bidding as 375 boxes of information were placed in support of eight bids. The director general has had a lot to consider.

§ Ms Mowlam
Does the Secretary of State agree that public confidence in the national lottery is being seriously impaired by the appointment of Tory "placepeople" to the quangos responsible for implementing and allocating the money? An example of that is the recent appointment of the Conservative party treasurer to head the Charities Board? When will the right hon. Gentleman start putting the interests of the nation before those of the Conservative party?

§ Mr. Brooke
The hon. Lady talks out of both sides of her mouth on the subject of the lottery, and I have to say that it is not a pretty sight. The information that, through early-day motions or other briefings, she has allowed to percolate through to the nation has frequently been inaccurate, and she is not doing the lottery any good.

§ Mr. Tracey
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the national lottery is likely to start much earlier and to be a much greater success if an operator with true experience is selected, rather than gimmickry?

§ Mr. Brooke
I have obviously seen the amendment that my hon. Friend tabled to an early-day motion on that subject. The director general will announce the name of the operator this week, so it would be improper of me to make any hypothetical observations on his announcement.