HC Deb 10 February 1997 vol 290 cc13-4W
Dr. John Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) on how many occasions she or her Department have approached lottery distribution boards or grant recipients to arrange for her to make presentations of awards; what were the occasions; and who were the recipients;[14593]

(2) how many lottery awards she has personally presented; who were the recipients; on what dates the presentations were made; and what sums were involved. [14594]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

It is central to the role of Ministers that they promote the work of the Department and its associated bodies. The national lottery, and the awards made by the independent distributing bodies, are an important part of that work. It is only right, therefore, they should take the opportunity to draw attention to the excellent work being done by these bodies around the country. This can include involvement in the presentation of lottery awards.

The Department does not keep records of the occasions when Ministers have been associated with such presentations.