HC Deb 29 November 1994 vol 250 cc604-5W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to monitor the economic impact of the national lottery.

Mr. Dorrell

The national lottery has already been a great success, with £25 million raised for good causes in the first two weeks, and I expect this to continue. My Department, together with the bodies responsible for distributing lottery proceeds, will naturally be monitoring how those proceeds are spent.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether those national lottery proceeds administered by the Arts Council can be distributed to film projects.

Mr. Dorrell

Yes.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage where funds from the national lottery destined for distribution to the good causes but not yet paid to applicants are held; what assumptions have been made about rates of interest accruing; and who will receive any such interest.

Mr. Dorrell

Proceeds from the national lottery are held in the national lottery distribution fund pending draw down by the good causes. The investment of the fund is the responsibility of the National Debt Commissioners. Interest gains received by the fund will be at a rate consistent with those normally achieved by risk-free investments. All the interest gained by the investment of the fund will be attributed equitably to the good causes and add to the sum of the proceeds available for distribution.

Sir David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will give instructions that national lottery tickets should be available at Selkirk, Melrose, Lauder, Earlston and Newton St. Boswells.

(2) if he will give instructions that national lottery tickets should be available at Innerleithen, Walkerburn, West Linton and Broughton.

Mr. Dorrell

This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked Peter Davis, the Director-General of the national lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Gentleman, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.