National Lottery (Hansard, 10 November 1997)

§ 13. Mr. Truswell
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will review the accessibility of lottery funding to bids for children's play initiatives; and if he will make a statement. [13439]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
In the White Paper, "The People's Lottery", I made it clear that we are particularly committed to the development of children's play. I am currently discussing with the Lottery distributors how we can best ensure that Lottery funding for it is more easily accessible.

§ 15. Mr. Gunnell
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria will be applied to consideration of lottery bids which include an estimate of revenue funding to ensure that successful existing institutions remain viable. [13442]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
It is for distributors to determine the detailed criteria for awards. For capital schemes, they may provide a revenue grant or an endowment to cover the costs of a project or to ensure its completion. We are looking at this area as part of the review of distribution announced in the White Paper, "The People's Lottery".

§ 17. Dr. Starkey
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for allocating national lottery money to health-related projects. [13444]

§ 19. Dr. Iddon
To ask the Secretary of Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for allocating lottery money to health-related projects. [13446]

§ 25. Dr. Stoate
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for allocating national lottery money to health-related projects. [13452]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
In the White Paper, "The People's Lottery", I announced the creation of a new good cause encompassing health, education and the environment. We want to enable people to improve their health and well-being, especially in the most deprived areas of the country. We therefore aim to establish a core network of healthy living centres, supported by the lottery, by 2001.

§ 23. Mr. Simon Hughes
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he takes to ensure a reasonable balance of lottery grants for national, regional and local projects; and if he will make a statement. [13450]
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§ Mr. Chris Smith
In the White Paper, "The People's Lottery", I announced our intention to ensure that Lottery money is spent according to a strategy drawn up in the light of need across all regions and parts of the country and between different groups in society. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already announced a pilot scheme where some distributors will work together on small community grants in Scotland. We hope to see this kind of approach extended where appropriate as soon as possible.