§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what evidence he has evaluated that a not-for-profit national lottery would generate as much money for the good causes as the present lottery; [9445]
(2) what success he has had in attracting interests from companies to bid for the opportunity to run the national lottery in 2001 on a non-profit-making basis; [9449]
(3) if the Government plan to consider a bid to run the national lottery by Camelot in 2001 on a profit-making basis; [9447]
(4) what is his policy towards the continuation of a profit-making national lottery; [9446]
(5) if the Government remain committed to the principle of operating the national lottery on a non-profit-making basis; [9451]
(6) what representations he has received from companies showing an interest in operating the national lottery on a non-profit-making basis when the present contract expires in 2001. [9448]
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§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 18 July 1997]: Lottery proceeds should go to the good causes, with the minimum necessary being used to run the lottery efficiently and in the public interest. We will seek an efficient, not-for-profit and competitive operator on this basis. I made a statement about this matter to the House on 21 July, Official Report, columns 685–98.
Camelot, if it chooses to bid, will be properly considered as a candidate to manage the new arrangements at the end of the current licence period.
To date, I have received no formal representations from any other companies wishing to run the lottery after the year 2001.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportions of(a) the national lottery, (b) bets on the Irish lottery and (c) other numbers draws are taken for (i) tax and (ii) good causes. [9900]
§ Mr. George HowarthI have been asked to reply. Twelve per cent. tax is deducted from national lottery stakes and 6.75 per from bets on the Irish lottery and other numbers draws; 30 per cent. of national lottery stakes go to good causes; there is no statutory good causes deduction from Irish lottery or other numbers bets.