§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what part the regional arts boards and regional sports councils will play in the allocation of funds from the national lottery; and what steps are being taken to ensure an equitable distribution across the country.
§ Mr. BrookeThe role of the regional arts boards and of the regional offices of the Sports Council will be for the distributing bodies themselves to decide. In reporting on the use to which they have put lottery funds, distributors will be expected to show a reasonable and appropriate response to applications throughout the areas they cover.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the written guidance issued to the chief officers of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Arts Council or the Sport Council concerning the distribution of proceeds from the national lottery.
§ Mr. SproatNo such guidance has been issued.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if projects eligible for Government funding will also be eligible for funding under the proposed national lottery.
§ Mr. SproatMy right hon. Friend will have powers under clause 24 of the National Lottery etc. Bill to direct the matters to be taken into account by the distributive bodies in exercising their functions under the Bill. My right hon. Friend is not minded to use those powers to direct that projects eligible for Government funding should not be eligible for national lottery funding. It will be for the distributive bodies to determine their own policy in this matter.