§ 6. Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations he has held with the Sports Council with regard to the effective distribution of national lottery moneys.
37W
§ Mr. SproatMy Department is in regular contact with the Sports Council to discuss matters relating to the distribution of national lottery funds. I shall soon be formally consulting the chairman of the Sports Council on directions under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 regarding matters to be taken into account when distributing lottery proceeds.
§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many organisations have expressed an interest in running the national lottery.
§ Mr. SproatI understand that the director general has received seven letters of intent. Although I cannot give details of these, I can confirm that six organisations have made public their intention to bid for the main licence to run the lottery. These are:
- Camelot Group plc
- Games for Good Causes plc
- The Great British Lottery Company
- N. M. Rothschild
- Rainbow UK Ltd.
- The UK Lottery Foundation
I understand that the director general will make public the list of those who have bid after tenders have been returned on 14 February.
§ 25. Mr. Bryan DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will meet representatives of the Sports Council to discuss distribution of national lottery moneys.
§ Mr. SproatIn accordance with my statutory obligations, I will be consulting all the distributing bodies, including the Sports Council, on the directions I intend to issue to them under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. I will consider whether to meet the Sports Council as part of that process.