§ Baroness Sharplesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans there are for the development of policy on the distribution of lottery proceeds.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Lindsay)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is writing today to the Chairmen of the Scottish Lottery distributing bodies to consult them on a change to the policy directions issued to the Scottish Arts Council under Section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. This would allow an amount of revenue funding to help arts organisations gain long-term financial viability in a way which would not substitute for existing grant in aid.
The programme would aim to help arts organisations consider and in some cases change their objectives and 101WA the markets within which they operate; inject new creative, technical and managerial skills into the organisations to help them achieve their objectives; provide balance sheet stability; and deliver better value for money.
The consultation will last until 23rd August and we will then consider the responses to the consultation process, with a view to announcing any change to the directions as soon as possible.