§ Lord Lukeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Minister for the Arts, Mr Alan Howarth, has had access to papers relating to the award of the next National Lottery licence; and, if so, whether he still continues to have such access. [HL4145]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe award of the next National Lottery licence is a matter for the National Lottery Commission. No Minister has had access to the applications or papers relating to the assessment of the applications.
§ Lord Lukeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they accept the judgment of Mr Justice Richards that the behaviour of the National Lottery Commission towards Camelot was "conspicuously unfair" and "illegal". [HL4168]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Government fully accept Mr Justice Richards' judgment. The judge recognised that the National Lottery Commission had intended to be fair and made clear that, as a responsible public authority, the commission could be relied on to act in accordance with the judgment.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What estimate they have made of the amount that would be lost to good causes for each week that the National Lottery ceased to operate in any period of hiatus between its operation by the present and the next operating company, in the event that Camelot does not win the new operating licence; and [HL4122]
What mechanism they have put in place to ensure that when the current National Lottery operating licence expires, there is no hiatus in the running of the National Lottery; and [HL4123]
Whether they are confident that the remaining members of the National Lottery Commission can reach a proper and fair decision on the award of the new operating licence for the National Lottery within a timescale that will enable the next operator of the National Lottery to continue the award of moneys to the good causes without any hiatus, in the event that Camelot is not successful in its application to he awarded the new Lottery operating licence. [HL4124]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe award of the new Lottery operating licence is the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appointed Lord Burns to the commission last week and the Government have every confidence that Lord Burns will be able to assist the current licensing process to a timely and proper conclusion. The Government have not made any30WA estimate of the potential loss to good causes of any hiatus in the operation of the National Lottery since they have made clear to the commission that there must be no such hiatus.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they still hold the view put forward in the Labour Party's manifesto, that "When the contract runs out, Labour will seek an efficient not-for-profit operator" to run the National Lottery. [HL4127]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Government have maintained their policy of seeking and welcoming bids from efficient not-for-profit operators. But the decision on the award of the next licence is a matter for the National Lottery Commission. It will make its decision on the need to maximise returns to good causes, subject to ensuring propriety and protecting players' interests.