§ 11. Mr. Ben Bradshaw (Exeter)If he will make a statement on his plans for the money allocated to the Millennium Commission in future years. [105947]
§ The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)When the Millennium Commission's income from the lottery comes to an end, its share will be transferred to the new opportunities fund.
§ Mr. BradshawIs my right hon. Friend aware that one of the best uses of millennium money has been to support the national cycle network, half of which will be opened this summer? Would it not be very sad if this exciting and permanent project were left half finished? Can he give me any encouragement that more money will be made available to complete it?
§ Mr. SmithMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Sustran is one of the best schemes that the Millennium Commission is supporting. By the end of the year, I believe, some 5,000 miles of cycle route will be in place from the very north of Scotland to the foot of Cornwall. When the Millennium Commission's work comes to an end, we hope that some of Sustran's work may be applied to the green spaces and sustainable communities initiative under the new opportunities fund, which we have established, and which every Conservative Member opposed.