§ 13 Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received about regional disparities in the allocation of funds arising from the national lottery. [494]
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe national lottery has captured the imagination of the country. I have received some letters from people who want to help ensure widespread distribution of lottery funding. We are committed to ensuring that the whole country benefits from the great success of the lottery.
§ 15 Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to ensure a more equitable distribution of national lottery money throughout the United Kingdom. [496]
§ Mrs. BottomleyEvery region in the United Kingdom has benefited. Over 3,000 awards have been made from the lottery in the first eight months of distribution.
The geographical spread of awards will be kept under review. There should not be envy of the major awards in the hon. Lady's constituency.
§ 18 Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will review the arrangements for the national lottery. [499]
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§ Mrs. BottomleyThe national lottery is working extremely well; the number of people playing and the money being raised for the good causes has exceeded everybody's expectations.
The lottery will be kept under review. I recently announced the millennium award scheme which will allow us to invest in people's talent to provide a spring board for the nation's success in the next millennium.
§ 20 Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much revenue the national lottery has generated for good causes. [503]
§ Mrs. BottomleyOver £1.2 billion has been raised for the five good causes because the national lottery is successful. No other lottery in the world has raised so much so quickly.
§ 21 Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has for amending legislation to enable national lottery money to be used for other than capital purposes; and if she will make a statement. [504]
§ Mrs. BottomleyNational lottery funding is already available for other than capital purposes.
The National Charities Board makes revenue grants available to caring charities
The millennium award scheme will invest in people's talent.
23 Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the benefits to poorer sections of the community of disbursements of proceeds from the national lottery. [506]
§ Mrs. BottomleyNational lottery proceeds in the areas of the five good causes are being distributed to thousands of projects that are benefiting many poorer sections of the community. They are helping to bring whole communities together, raise morale and enthusiasm and improve the quality and opportunity of people's lives. Capital spending generates jobs.
§ 25 Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about the first year's operations of the national lottery. [510]
§ Mrs. BottomleyThe national lottery has been an outstanding success in its first year
Thirty million people play and enjoy a harmless flutter every week with the result that over £1.2 billion of new money has been raised for the five good causes
More than £720 million has been awarded to over 3,000 projects throughout the country so far. We are investing unprecedented sums in this country's sport and culture which will benefit people into the next millennium. It will provide a huge boost to regeneration, creating jobs and economic prosperity.
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§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money she estimates will be contributed to charities and good causes by the national lottery in a full year. [505]
§ Mrs. BottomleyBetween £1.4 billion and £1.6 billion will be available for the good causes, including caring charities, in the current financial year.
§ 16 Mr. SweeneyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many good causes have been awarded funds from the national lottery in Wales. [497]
§ Mrs. BottomleyTwo hundred and fifty national lottery awards, covering all five good causes, and totalling £26,701,388 have been awarded in Wales.
My hon. Friend will be pleased to hear that the Millennium Commission has today made an award in Wales: £146,500 for the church community hall in Sully.