§ Mr. PattenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many applications for support from the national heritage memorial fund have been received for projects(a) of a specifically Christian nature and (b) which recognise the millennium as marking 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ; of those how many have been approved; and at what COSt. [39583]
§ Mr. SproatThe heritage lottery fund does not categorise by religious denomination. However, to date 566 applications have been received from religious organisations 31 per cent. of total—asking for grants amounting to £57,505,362. Eighty-seven grants have been awarded to religious organisations, 23 per cent. of total grants awarded amounting to £8,024,510.
§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total national lottery funding allocated for distribution through the heritage commission in 1995–96; what sum is planned for 1996–97; what was the total sum allocated and paid through the commission in 1995–96; and what sum has been allocated and paid to date in 1996–97. [40039]
§ Mr. SproatThe total national lottery funding allocated for distribution through the national heritage memorial fund in 1995–96 was £305 million; of this, £40.4 million was drawn down in that year. A total of £33.6 million has been drawn down in 1996–97 out of a planned expenditure of £197 million. Estimated income for the NHMF in 1996–97 is £250 million.