HC Deb 29 October 1999 vol 336 cc1010-1W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are, in respect of the revenue in the National Lottery Distributions Fund Reserve(a) the amount (1) received and (2) drawn down, (b) the percentage drawn down, (c) the balance available and (d) the amount committed for (i) the Arts Council of England, (ii) the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (iii) the Scottish Arts Council, (iv) the Arts Council of Wales, (v) the National Lottery's Charities Board, (vi) the National Heritage Memorial Fund, (vii) the Millennium Commission, (viii) the New Opportunities Fund, (ix) Sport England, (x) the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, (xi) the Scottish Sports Council, (xii) the UK Sports Council and (xiii) the Sports Council for Wales and (xiv) the total of the above. [95486]

Kate Hoey

The following table shows the figures requested, as at 30 September 1999. In addition to the figures shown here, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts has received an endowment of £200 million from the National Lottery, all of which has been drawn down from the National Lottery Distribution Fund.

Figures for the amount committed are taken from the National Lottery Awards Database using information supplied by the distributors. They do not include money set aside for a specific purpose but not committed to a particular project.

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the percentage drawn down for National Lottery expenditure allocations(a) in the UK and (b) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [95493]

Kate Hoey

56 per cent. of the money paid into the National Lottery Distribution Fund has been drawn down for use by the National Lottery distributing bodies. A further 31 per cent. has been firmly committed but not yet drawn down.

I have made no assessment of the percentages drawn down by lotteries overseas. Given the different ways in which Lottery surpluses are used around the world, I do not believe such comparisons would be helpful. For example, the surplus of many state lotteries are paid straight to the national exchequers, so the question of draw down does not arise.

I am keen to ensure that National Lottery money should be put to effective use as quickly as possible. Many of the reforms that the Government have introduced—such as moving the focus of the Lottery from buildings to people and allowing distributors to delegate their functions—should help to facilitate this.