§ Miss HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many on-line terminals are currently functioning in the national lottery. [14256]
§ Mr. SproatThis is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. The Director General of the National Lottery has licensed Camelot to run the national lottery and he regulates its operations. I have therefore asked the director general to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.
§ Miss HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the exact amount of start-up costs(a) to public funds and (b) to Camelot for the national lottery. [14257]
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§ Mr. SproatCosts associated with the establishment of the national lottery fall(a) to Camelot Group plc, (b) to the Office of the National Lottery, (c) to my Department and (d) to lottery distributors.
Details of costs incurred by Camelot Group plc. are a matter for Camelot. I have asked the Director General of the National Lottery to write to the hon. Member with information about the costs of Oflot and to place copies of his response in the Library of the House.
The costs incurred by the national lottery distribution branch within the Department of National Heritage to 31 March 1995 totalled £247,000. It is estimated that these costs were predominantly for the setting up of systems and procedures for administering the fund. These costs were met from the national lottery distribution fund. Other costs of the national lottery division were met from the Department's administration vote. For the year ending 31 March 1995, these come to approximately £251,000.
Funds drawn down from the NLDF by the 11 lottery distributors, to cover administration costs, totalled £5.049 million for the period to 31 March 1995. These costs have also been shown to be predominantly set-up costs.