HC Deb 05 February 1996 vol 271 cc93-4W
15. Sir Sydney Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many prizes have been paid out by the national lottery. [11772]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

To date, the total number of prizes that have been paid out by the national lottery is 315,155,491. Of this amount, 73,730,101 are from the on-line game, and 241,425,390 from instants.

16. Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received on the subject of the size of national lottery jackpots. [11773]

Mrs. Bottomley

I have received a number of representations on the size of national lottery jackpots.

17. Mr. Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many art galleries have been awarded funds from the national lottery. [11774]

Mr. Sproat

Twenty art galleries throughout the United Kingdom have received grants from the national lottery totalling £58.6 million.

20. Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans her Department has to enable small, rural communities to apply for national lottery funds. [11777]

Mrs. Bottomley

The Government and the distributors want to see lottery funds going to communities throughout the UK. The proposals I announced on Monday 22 January,Official Report, columns 41–42, would enable the national lottery to support projects giving greater access to the arts and sport, including in rural areas.

22. Mr. Carrington

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many museums have been awarded funds from the national lottery. [11779]

Mr. Sproat

Forty-one museums throughout the United Kingdom have received grants from the national lottery totalling £38.5 million.

23. Mr. Skinner

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what further discussions she expects to have with Camelot regarding the national lottery. [11780]

Mrs. Bottomley

I plan to visit Camelot's operations centre in Watford on 22 February.

Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on recent developments in the national lottery. [11764]

Mr. Sproat

The changes which I propose to make are a natural development of the national lottery. I intend to make it possible for the distributors to support new initiatives particularly aimed at youth, talent, access and participation. I shall be encouraging the arts councils to make awards that help innovation—for example, to aspiring new playwrights or composers.