§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to commission market research into the socio-economic groups of lottery ticket purchasers; if he will monitor the advertising policies of the national lottery operators to ensure that tickets are not marketed specifically to groups in receipt of social security benefits or otherwise unlikely to be able to afford them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellI have no plans to commission such market research at present.
The advertising policy of the national lottery operator is an operational matter. I have therefore asked Peter Davis, the director-general of the national lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the national lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what has been the total and average weekly value of ticket sales by the national lottery to date; how much of that money has been(a) allocated to good causes, (b) retained by the Treasury, (c) retained by the company and (d) awarded in prizes; and what percentage of the sums retained by the company he estimates are its operating profits.
675W(2) whether the national lottery operators are required to make known their operating profits; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellIn the first eleven weeks, national lottery sales have reached £619,694,634—a weekly average of £56,334,875. Of this, to the nearest pound, £161,303,539 has been paid to the national lottery distribution fund for distribution to the good causes; £74,363,356 has been paid in lottery duty; £297,456,628 has been paid in prizes to over 12 million winners; and the remaining £86,569,121 has been retained by Camelot Group plc to cover its operating costs and profit, including the 5 per cent. commission on ticket sales paid to its retail agents.
Figures for the operating profits of Camelot Group plc are a matter for the company. It will be filing annual returns and meeting other reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act and other relevant regulations.
§ Mrs. Jane KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much interest has been earned to date on that money raised via the national lottery for distributing to charities.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 30 January 1995]: To date, interest of £661,699 has been earned by the national lottery distribution fund. Of this £132,869 has been attributed to the National Lottery Charities Board.