HC Deb 18 June 1998 vol 314 cc302-3W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance he has issued to the Arts Council on the priority to be accorded to the likely popular appeal of films in determining whether to grant them national lottery funding. [45834]

Mr. Fisher

In accordance with section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, on 1 June 1998, the Secretary of State issued a direction to the Arts Council of England that, in distributing its share of the net lottery proceeds, it must take account of the needs of projects relating to film and moving image. It is for the Arts Council to draw up the detailed criteria for lottery funding.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers he has to recover national lottery money from film companies when a grant has been obtained on a false prospectus. [45831]

Mr. Fisher

Responsibility for the recovery of lottery moneys obtained by fraud is a matter for the issuing national lottery distributing bodies.