HC Deb 21 May 1997 vol 294 cc69-70W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of lottery grants has been made to(a) large and (b) small-scale projects. [804]

Mr. Chris Smith

The following table shows the proportion of lottery awards to date by value.

Award amount Per cent.1
Under £50,000 54
£50,000–£99,999 20
£100,000–£499,999 21
£500,0004–£1,000,000 2
£1 million+ 3
1Rounded to the nearest per cent.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the share of lottery proceeds distributed to the regions.[802]

Mr. Smith

It is clear that some areas of the country have benefited a great deal more from the Lottery than others. We will be looking at the reasons for this as part of our overall review of Lottery distribution and considering what changes might be made as a result.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of lottery proceeds currently goes to ethnic minority projects; and what steps he is taking to ensure that ethnic minority projects are well represented and supported. [803]

Mr. Smith

Our best estimate suggests that over 3 per cent. of Lottery awards so far announced, representing around 2 per cent. of total value of awards have been to ethnic minority projects, though many other projects provide benefits for people from ethnic minorities. I am conducting a thorough review of the distribution of Lottery proceeds including how best to ensure that all sections of the community benefit fully from the National Lottery.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the mechanisms for the public accountability of the operation of the lottery. [807]

Mr. Smith

The operation of the National Lottery is regulated by the Director-General who is appointed by the Secretary of State for National Heritage under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Director-General is head of the Office of the National Lottery (OFLOT) which is an independent, non-Ministerial Government Department. As its head, the Director-General is accountable for the exercise of his statutory functions under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, and for the financial operation of his Department.

The Director-General must report each year to me on the exercise of his functions. This report is then laid before Parliament. He is also accountable to Parliamentary committees. The Director-General must also provide me with information relating to the National Lottery, or a lottery forming part of it, as I may direct.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage over what timetable he proposes to divert proceeds from the midweek lottery to health and education projects; and to which type of health and education projects he intends funds to be allocated. [805]

Mr. Smith

I intend to publish a White Paper in the summer setting out our plans for reforming the National Lottery and to introduce the National Lottery (Amendment) Bill before Christmas. The first priorities will be after-school clubs to provide homework centres and extra-curricular opportunities in the arts and culture; establishing a national network of one-stop healthy living centres promoting health and fitness; training teachers in the IT skills they need in the information age; and the establishment of the National Endowment for Science and the Arts. These programmes will begin as soon as the necessary legislation is in place.

Mr. Patrick Hall

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to reform the distribution of the proceeds of the national lottery. [383]

Mr. Smith

[holding answer 19 May 1997]In addition to establishing new good causes to benefit from the National Lottery, we will review the existing distribution system to ensure that there is the widest possible access to Lottery funds throughout the UK. We will consider particularly the need for a proper strategy for the distribution of funds and co-ordination between the distributing bodies.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to limit the level of the national lottery operator's profits. [806]

Mr. Smith

I do not have the powers to restrict the level of profit which Camelot makes under its current licence. We will seek a competitive and efficient not-for-profit operator to run the National Lottery when Camelot's licence runs out so that the maximum amount of money possible goes to the goods causes.