§ Lord Dormerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider reducing the size of the jackpot in the National Lottery so as to benefit more people and charities.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of National Heritage (Viscount Astor)The percentage of lottery proceeds that should go to the prize fund and to good causes is set out in the licences issued by the Director-General of the National Lottery to Camelot Group plc, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The percentages relating to prizes and good causes were offered by Camelot as part of the competitive process for the operator's licence and cannot be varied by the director-general without Camelot's agreement.
Within the total amount available for prizes, the level at which individual prizes, such as the jackpot, are set 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 noble Lord on this point, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.