HC Deb 10 December 1996 vol 287 c98W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what obligations there are on the Millennium Commission to explain its decisions on grant applications. [7709]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

There are no specific obligations set out in the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 or in section 26 directions under the Act. However, the Government expect all non-departmental public bodies to abide by the principles of public accountability and all applicants to the commission are informed of the key criteria on which decisions are taken and are told of the basis for decisions once made. The commission reports to Parliament and produces an annual report.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received about Mayflower 2000's bid to the Millennium Commission. [7513]

Mrs. Bottomley

I have received a letter on the subject. It was sent to me in my capacity as chairman of the Millennium Commission and came from the director of the Mayflower 2000 project via the hon. Member for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh). Appended was a list of the supporters of the project.

The Millennium Commission receives a large number of applications for funding. An application for funding for the Mayflower 2000 project was received in round 2 by the Millennium Commission but at that stage was not considered sufficiently "millennial". A second application was received in round 3. Long listing will take place in January 1997 and applicants will be notified of the decisions soon after that date.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will introduce a right of appeal against decisions on grants by the Millennium Commission. [7706]

Mrs. Bottomley

There are no plans to instigate a right of appeal. The Millennium Commission receives an enormous number of applications for funding at each round, all of which compete against each other for what is, after all, a finite sum of money. The commissioners do their utmost to ensure that their decisions are fair and equitable and, in cases where technical expertise is required, they consult with independent experts.

The Millennium Commission has an established complaints procedure for allegations concerning maladministration. This includes a reference to an external independent agency should this prove necessary. The complaints procedure does not cover commissioners' decisions on whether to award a grant. In addition, the commission is subject to normal laws and can be challenged through judicial review. The Government have set up the commission to receive applications and award grants for millennium projects. It is satisfied that adequate safeguards exist against maladministration. In those circumstances, there would seem little point in second guessing the commission.