§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for the further use of lottery funds for heritage protection, including essential maintenance, and for heritage-related learning programmes. [HL4908]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyDecisions on the provision of lottery funds within the heritage sector are the responsibility of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and are made by the board of trustees independently of the Government. This year the HLF will commit around £330 million to projects which, among other things, aim to conserve and enhance the United Kingdom's heritage, and increase opportunities for learning about heritage and opening up heritage resources and sites to the widest possible number of people. In July 2004, the HLF announced the establishment of a £4 million training bursary scheme to keep alive essential heritage skills, as well as training for essential customer services skills at heritage sites.
§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are planning to increase, maintain or decrease in real terms their financial support for the protection of the nation's heritage; and what they intend any such increase or decrease to be. [HL4909]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyNo decisions have yet been taken within DCMS on individual funding allocations following the 2004 Spending Review. The share of lottery proceeds going to the heritage good cause is guaranteed until 2009. This of course excludes the proceeds from any dedicated Olympic games introduced after July 2005 as a result of a successful Olympic bid.