HC Deb 03 February 1997 vol 289 cc488-9W
17. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to increase the number of participants in the national lottery. [12234]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I am delighted with the great success of the national lottery. Any plans that the operator might have to increase the number of participants would need to be approved by the Director General of the National Lottery who has a duty under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 to protect the interests of participants.

21. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the impact of the national lottery on the British film industry. [12238]

Mrs. Bottomley

The national lottery has had a huge impact on the British film industry. Already, more than £66 million has been awarded to some 164 projects. This includes nearly £39 million for 106 film productions, 24 of which went into production last year. This is a tremendous achievement in so short a time which I know is welcomed by the film industry.

24. Mr. Congdon

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the impact of the national lottery on the voluntary sector in Greater London. [12241]

Mrs. Bottomley

The introduction of the national lottery has given charities and voluntary organisations in all parts of the United Kingdom an unparalleled opportunity to secure new funding for projects and initiatives across a wide range of activities. The National Lottery Charities Board alone has made 838 awards, worth almost £73 million, to charities and voluntary organisations in Greater London, and a large proportion of the 843 awards, worth almost £230 million, made by the other national lottery distributing bodies for arts, sport, heritage and millennium projects in Greater London have gone to charities and voluntary organisations. These figures exclude grants made to London-based national organisations.