HC Deb 08 December 1997 vol 302 cc467-8W
26. Mr. Derek Twigg

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the lottery distribution fund boards. [18004]

Mr. Chris Smith

I hold regular meetings with the Lottery distributors. I last met the Chairmen and the Chief Executives of the London-based Lottery distributors on 26 November. This was the fourth in a regular series of such meetings. The main topic of discussion was the Lottery Bill.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate his Department has made of the effect on the share of funding which will be received by humanitarian charities from the national lottery as a result of the introduction of a sixth good cause. [17975]

Mr. Chris Smith

The National Lottery Charities Board can expect to receive £1.8 billion over the period of the current licence. This matches its original expectation when the Lottery was launched. In addition, charities can expect to benefit from projects funded under the new good cause, covering health, education and the environment.