§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those projects which have been allocated funding from the Millennium Festival Fund(a) in the current financial year, (b) for 1999–2000 and (c) for 2000–01; what is the total moneys available from the fund in each of these years; and what percentage will be under the control of the Scottish Parliament. [65805]
§ Mr. Galbraith[holding answer 18 January 1999]: The Millennium Festival Fund has been established to help the nation to celebrate the Millennium. Like other National Lottery expenditure, it is not subject to annuality. Each of the National Lottery distributing bodies operating in Scotland—the Scottish Sports Council, the Scottish Arts Council, the National Lottery Charities Board, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Millennium Commission—has contributed towards a Scottish fund of some £10.4 million.
Applications for large grants, over £5,000, were invited in May last year, with a closing date of late October. Details of the successful projects will be announced late next month. A further funding round, aimed at local communities and small organisations seeking grants of £500–£5,000, is expected to be launched shortly. It will be operational until June 2000.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will shortly make an announcement on the involvement of Scottish Ministers in National Lottery distribution after devolution.