Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the distribution of lottery grants across the country. [114874]
§ Mr. Chris SmithThe Government are committed to ensuring that Lottery funding is distributed fairly both geographically and across all groups of society. This is reflected in the changes made to lottery distribution through the National Lottery Act 1998, and through the revised policy directions which I issued in summer 1998. My Department and the lottery distributors have jointly commissioned research, due shortly, into why coalfield areas have fared badly from the lottery, which I hope will hold lessons for distribution to other areas of low take-up.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the amounts of moneys(a) distributed to good causes from the National Lottery Fund and (b) which have yet to be allocated. [116489]
§ Mr. Chris SmithAll the funds in the National Lottery Distribution Fund available for distribution have been allocated to the National Lottery Distributing Bodies, and all but £200 million of this money has already been committed by them. While money remains in this fund, it earns tax free interest which goes to the good causes, not Government.