22. Dr. SprinkTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received about the consultation on priorities for distribution of funds from the national lottery. [14200]
§ Mr. DorrellMy Department consulted on the arrangements for the distribution of national lottery proceeds to the arts, sport, the heritage and millennial projects in spring last year, when a number of representations were received from interested bodies. The National Lottery Charities Board is consulting on its funding strategy. Representations on the NLCB's consultation are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ 23. Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which organisations his Department has consulted since the commencement of the national lottery to discuss the impact of the lottery on charity donations and other existing fund raising schemes. [14201]
§ Mr. DorrellMy Department has carried out no such consultation since the commencement of the national lottery. The views of a number of charitable organisations were taken into account in the preparation of the national lottery legislation.
§ 28. Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent he now calculates income from the national lottery in the first year of operation will exceed his first estimate. [14206]
§ Mr. DorrellCamelot's application for the section 5 licence to run the national lottery forecast that in the first full year of operation, to March 1996, around £750 million would be raised for the good causes. No formal forecast of the income to the national lottery distribution fund has subsequently been made, but it is widely478W accepted that the launch of the national lottery has been highly successful and that the proceeds to good causes have exceeded expectations. I am confident that the forecast of £750 million for good causes in the first full year of operation will be met.