§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the review of the licensing and regulation of the National Lottery. [65667]
§ Tessa JowellI am today publishing a consultation document, setting out a number of possible changes to the future licensing and regulation of the lottery.
The document addresses the licensing arrangements which should apply when Camelot's second licence expires in January 2009. Our principal aim is to consider in good time therefore whether, and if so what, changes to the law governing the operation of the lottery are needed to ensure effective competition at that point, in the interests of maximising the income for good causes which it raises. The document takes account of the views of reports by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and by the National Audit Office into the award of the second licence.
The document also invites views on the issue of whether the lottery should continue to be regulated by the National Lottery Commission, or brought within the remit of the Gambling Commission which we propose to establish, as described in "A safe bet for success".
We shall shortly be publishing a further document which sets out our thinking on the arrangements for the distribution of lottery income, with a view to ensuring that the money for good causes is spent to best effect.
In this way, looking at both the income and distribution sides of the lottery, we aim to underpin its long-term success and appeal, so that the public can have confidence in supporting it.
I am arranging for copies of the consultation document to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. The consultation document is also available on the DCMS website at www.culture.gov.uk; and copies may be obtained, free of charge, from the Department. I shall be glad to consider comments on it.