§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when her Department became aware of a family relationship between the director general of Oflot and directors of companies involved in running the national lottery. [9858]
§ Mr. SproatThere is no known kinship between the director general of the national lottery and any of the directors of companies involved in the running of the national lottery. The Department became aware of an acquaintance between the director general and Mr. Menges on 15 December 1995. Mr. Menges's US investment company has a financial interest in GTECH and Mr. Menges is a non-executive director of GTECH. Mr. Menges is not involved in the running of the UK national lottery. The director general declared his acquaintance with Mr. Menges in February 1994, in accordance with agreed procedures for declaring any financial, personal or professional connections with any of the applicants for the licence to run the national lottery.