HC Deb 19 May 1997 vol 294 cc368-70
11. Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what new areas of community activity he plans to allow to qualify for lottery grant aid. [371]

The Minister for Film and Tourism (Mr. Tom Clarke)

Our people's money proposals will allow lottery funds to make a greater impact than ever before on communities throughout the country. The first priorities will be establishing after-school clubs to provide homework centres and extra-curricular opportunities in the arts and culture; establishing a national network of one-stop healthy living centres promoting health and fitness; and training teachers in the information technology skills that they need in the information age.

Mrs. Jackson

I welcome the swift action of my hon. Friends on the Government Front Bench in announcing the improvement and widening of the lottery guidelines. Will my hon. Friend take on board the suggestions in my constituency? High Green school was adapted for disability, but, tragically, closed under the cuts of the former Administration. However, it is hoped that it will be restored and that its facilities will not only be made available for disabled teaching but opened up to sports development and activities, with the full backing of the community. Will my hon. Friend confirm that centres offering such community and educational use will be eligible for lottery funds in the future?

Mr. Clarke

My hon. Friend has, as always, made a very valid point. She put her finger on precisely the activity that we support in funding.

On my hon. Friend's specific point, she will, of course, know that people who wish to apply for lottery funding should apply to the National Lottery Charities Board, which will consider it in the light of its published criteria. I am delighted that my hon. Friend has taken on board the objectives of the people's lottery. I am pretty sure that people, not only in Sheffield but throughout Britain, will recognise and endorse her priorities.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Community and voluntary groups rightly value the opportunities provided by the lottery, but is the Minister also aware that such groups greatly benefited from the active sponsorship of the Department of National Heritage? What possible justification is there for returning community and voluntary organisations to the Home Office? What consultation took place? What are the next responsibilities that the hon. Gentleman expects to lose? Do we expect that, each time the Department loses further responsibilities, extra Ministers will be appointed?

Perhaps the Minister will be aware that assisting on public bodies is the community activity in which many serve. Now that the chairman of the UK Sports Council has left, thanks to the injudicious remarks of the Minister for Sport, will the Minister deny today's reports that the chairman of the BBC, appointed under Nolan procedures, has been told that speaking against Government policy is to be considered as grounds for dismissal?

Mr. Clarke

I had not thought that the Tory leadership contest would intrude on questions to the Department of National Heritage. The former Minister at the Home Office deserves greater support from the right hon. Lady than she seems to have had this afternoon.

With regard to the responsibilities of individual Departments, I want to pay the same tribute that voluntary organisations throughout the country paid to my hon. Friend—[Interruption.] Is this a party that believes in law and order—what is left of it?

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) for the wonderful work that he has done with voluntary organisations. I am sure that that will continue in his new post.

I remind the right hon. Lady that this is a people's lottery involving people's money. The people took their decision on 1 May and she would be wise to accept it.