HC Deb 07 April 1998 vol 310 cc139-41W
Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those organisations responsible for awarding National Lottery grants, indicating the categories of grant they cover and their contact telephone numbers and addresses. [37253]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 6 April 1998]The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 established five areas to benefit equally from the Lottery: sports, the arts, heritage, charities and projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium. The responsibility for distributing these proceeds rests with a number of independent distributing bodies. These are the four national Arts Councils, the four national Sports Councils, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the National Lottery Charities Board and the Millennium Commission.

The Arts Councils aim to help people across the UK enjoy, and take Part in, broadest Possible range of arts activities. Arts Lottery money is being spent on a wide range of capital projects, including the renovation and re-equipping of arts venues. The Arts Councils also fund revenue Projects designed to enable more people to Participate and take part in arts activities and to encourage more new plays, music and other work. The addresses ofthe Arts Councils are:

The Arts Council of England

  • 14 Great Peter Street
  • London
  • SW1P 3NQ
  • Tel: 0171 312 0123

The Arts Council of Wales

  • 9 Museum Place
  • Cardiff
  • CF1 3NX
  • Tel:01222–388288

The Scottish Arts Council

  • 12 Manor Place
  • Edinburgh
  • EH3 7DD
  • Tel: 0131–226–6051

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  • MacNeice House
  • 77 Malone Road
  • Belfast
  • BT9 6AQ
  • Tel: 01232–667000.

The Sports Councils fund capital sports projects for all designated sports. They also fund revenue programmes under the themes of coaching and leadership, talent identification and development. The addresses are:

The English Sports Council

  • 16 Upper Woburn Place
  • London
  • WC1H 0QP
  • Tel: 0345–649–649

The Scottish Sports Council

  • Caledonian House
  • South Gyle
  • Edinburgh
  • EH12 9DQ
  • Tel: 0131–339–9000

The Sports Council for Wales

  • Sophia Gardens
  • Cardiff
  • CFI 9SW
  • Tel: 01222–300500

The Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  • House of Sport
  • Upper Malone Road
  • Belfast
  • BT9 5LA
  • Tel: 01232–382222.

The aim of the National Heritage Memorial Fund's Heritage Lottery Fund is to Preserve, restore or acquire the nation's most treasured heritage which makes up the fabric of the Britain's history and culture.The Fund is able to award funds to organisations and volunteers who care for the countryside, buildings, museums, industrial heritage, archives and parks. The address is:

The Heritage Lottery Fund

  • 7 Holbein Place
  • London
  • SW1W 8NR
  • Tel: 0171–591–6000.

The National Lottery Charities Board distributes grants to help those at the greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community. The Board distributes Lottery funds to both registered charities and organisations with a philanthropic aim and allocates funding on a themed basis. The initial rounds have been based on themes of poverty, youth issues and low income; health, disability and care; improving people's living environment; and voluntary sector development. The address is:

The National Lottery Charities Board

  • St. Vincent House
  • 16 Suffolk Street
  • London
  • SW 1 Y 4NL
  • Tel: 0171–747–5300.

The Millennium Commission supports projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium. Millennium Commission awards fall into three categories: capital projects, the Millennium Awards scheme to assist individuals who help in the community and the Millennium Exhibition and festival. The Commission are supporting a nationwide programme of events which will take place throughout 2000. The aim is to bring communities together, while reflecting religious, ethnic and cultural groups. The address is:

The Millennium Commission

  • Portland House
  • Stag Place
  • London
  • SWIE 5EZ
  • Tel: 0171–880–2001.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to publish draft statutory directions to the National Lottery distributing bodies. [38115]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 6 April 1998]I intend to publish to day drafts of the revised Policy Directions for the Arts Council of England, the English Sports Council, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland plan to publish drafts of revised Policy Directions for the Arts and Sports Councils of those countries at the same time. Drafts of revised Financial Directions for all existing Lottery distributors will be published in the early summer. I will publish drafts of Directions to the New Opportunities Fund for consultation with its board after Royal Assent to the National Lottery Bill but hope to make available a preliminary draft soon.