§ 5. Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of the proceeds from the national lottery is to be used to retain in Britain more of the artistic heritage.
§ Mr. SproatThe allocation of lottery proceeds is a matter for the distributing bodies. The distribution of lottery funds to the heritage will be the responsibility of the national heritage memorial fund and it will be for it to decide which grants to make. It will receive 20 per cent. of the proceeds going to good causes, which could amount to more than £300 million a year when the lottery reaches its peak.
§ Mr. CarringtonIn view of the failure to retain many works of art that met the Waverley criteria, will my hon. Friend make it clear to the national heritage 1198 memorial fund that the retention of Waverley standard works of art in this country should be a priority use of lottery proceeds?
§ Mr. SproatI know that my hon. Friend has a long and distinguished history of interest in and grip of the subject, and he is right to say that artefacts that the Waverley committee deemed should have a deferral whacked on them should be eligible for lottery funds. I will ensure that the fund understands that.
§ Mrs. Anne CampbellDoes the Secretary of State share his predecessor's view that a substantial proportion of lottery funds should be used to support scientific projects and those that promote public understanding of science?
§ Mr. SproatYes, that will be taken into full consideration.
§ Sir Anthony GrantI appreciate the importance of purely artistic heritage, but will the guidelines be wide enough to include such excellent projects as museums—for instance, the imperial war museum at Duxford in my constituency? Will the Minister accept an invitation to come and see the good work that goes on there?
§ Mr. SproatI certainly will accept such an invitation, but I gather that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has done so for tomorrow. The answer to the main part of my hon. Friend's question is yes.