HL Deb 10 March 1994 vol 552 cc19-20WA
Lord Renton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the rule of interpretation that, when different expressions are used in the same section of a statute, they are intended and assumed to have different meanings and effects; and that the result of Section 22(3) of the National Lottery etc Act 1993 is therefore that expenditure on projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium should not include expenditure on the arts or sport, or on the national heritage, or for charitable purposes, on each of which there is a limit of 20 per cent.

Baroness Trumpington

The interpretation of statute is a matter for the courts.

The Government do not consider that Section 22(3)(e) of the National Lottery etc Act 1993, which provides for 20 per cent. of the proceeds of the National Lottery to be allocated to projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium, prevents the Millennium Commission from distributing funds to projects connected with the arts, sport, national heritage or charitable purposes. Under Section 41 of the Act, the Millennium Commission has the power to make grants

towards a project which it considers appropriate in any area, including those mentioned in Sections 22(3)(a) to (d).

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