§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what external legal advice he has taken on the National Lottery's television Dreams Game in which one draw qualifies participants for participation in a further draw; and if he will make a statement. [34426]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 13 March 1998]: None. Under section 6 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Director-General of the National Lottery is responsible for licensing new National Lottery games. The BBC Governors are responsible for ensuring that all programmes broadcast on the BBC are in line with their Royal Charter and Agreement and Producers' Guidelines. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to the BBC chairman asking him to confirm that the new National Lottery programme does indeed comply with these obligations.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the sums allocated by the Sports Lottery Fund has been allocated to Wales. [35579]
§ Mr. BanksUnder the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, 20 per cent. of the proceeds for good causes goes to sport. 5 per cent. of this is distributed by the Sports Council for Wales. So far, this has made available over £51 million pounds for sports projects in Wales. In addition, the Millennium Commission has awarded £46 million to support the new national stadium in Cardiff.
Subject to approval by Parliament, the National Lottery Bill will reduce the percentage allocation to sport to 16 per cent., but there will be no reduction in the £1.8 billion originally forecast to be raised for sport by 2001. The percentage of this for Wales will be unchanged.