§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the public statements issued by his Department since 1 July on the award of the next licence to operate the National Lottery. [134600]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 26 October 2000]: My Department issued press releases on 23 August 2000 (on the National Lottery Commission's announcement of its decisions about the new licence); on 5 October 2000 (on the resignation of Dame Helena Shovelton from the National Lottery Commission); and on 12 October 2000 (about the appointment of Lord Burns to the Commission).
In addition, I and colleagues answered a number of parliamentary questions and have given a number of interviews to the media on this subject.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost to National Lottery funds of extending the licence of the existing operators for(a) two months, (b) six months and (c) one year. [135699]
§ Mr. Chris SmithDecisions on a possible interim licence are a matter for agreement between the National Lottery Commission and the current operator.