§ 9. Mrs. Janet Dean (Burton)How lottery distributors, when formulating their strategy, will assess need in the Burton constituency. [37413]
§ The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)Distributors will consult widely when drawing up their strategies. This consultation will include local authorities and other local interests. The new proposed policy directions, drafts of which are in the Library of the House, emphasise the need to ensure that lottery funds reach all parts of the country and all sections of society.
§ Mrs. DeanI welcome my right hon. Friend's reply. My constituency has some of the most deprived wards in the west midlands. Will the new lottery legislation ensure that help gets to where it is most needed in those wards?
§ Mr. SmithYes, in two ways. First, the new policy directions—drafts of which I have issued—will ensure that all lottery distributors take proper account of the need to combat social deprivation when considering making grants. Secondly, distributors will be able to instigate fast-track procedures for small community grants which will get rid of a lot of the red tape and excessive paperwork which at the moment bedevil applications by small community organisations eminently deserving of grant.
§ Mr. Francis Maude (Horsham)Will not the National Lottery Bill result, effectively, in the decisions on which projects in Burton are supported by lottery funds being taken by Ministers? Is that not why virtually every Labour Back Bencher who spoke in support of the Bill at Second Reading did so on the explicit basis that the Bill will make it easier for the Secretary of State to direct lottery money to the constituencies of Labour Members of Parliament?
§ Mr. SmithNo, Madam Speaker. It may not surprise you that the right hon. Gentleman is wrong on all counts. I was interested to receive a letter from the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mrs. Bottomley)—the former Secretary of State—who spends most of her time, like the right hon. Gentleman, accusing us of creating the new opportunities fund to somehow deal with our priorities. In her letter she referred to a dyslexia centre in her constituency, and said:
The changes in direction—the changes we are proposing in the Bill—
should provide an excellent opportunity for them. I wonder if you could brief me on the likely timetable in which applications will be received for the new opportunities fund.Opposition Members are seeing the wonderful opportunities that will come about through the legislation.