HC Deb 06 May 1998 vol 311 c407W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many projects applying for Lottery funds have been turned down because of inadequate matching funds; [40240]

(2) what research his Department has conducted into (a) the number and (b) the type of projects that do not apply for Lottery funds because they cannot raise adequate matching funds. [40241]

Mr. Banks

The Lottery distributors do not keep records of how many applications for Lottery funding are turned down because of lack of partnership support. Neither the Department nor the distributors have conducted any research into the extent to which applications are not made because of difficulties in securing such support.

I am nevertheless concerned about the ability of some applicants to raise partnership support. As a result, the new package of draft Policy Directions governing the distribution of Lottery funds, on which my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Culture, for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland are consulting, require distributors to take into account the extent to which applicants can realistically expect to raise partnership support. These Directions make it clear that volunteer time and support in kind are as acceptable as cash for this purpose. It is for individual distributors to set detailed partnership requirements and to monitor their impact.

Oil Gas Electricity
KWH Cost (£) KWH Cost (£) KWH Cost (£)
1993–941 Nil Nil 221,808 3,810 586,372 49,400
1994–95 Nil Nil 1,059,183 14,599 1,074,541 64,066
1995–962 Nil Nil 1,593,599 15,247 1,194,927 67,023
1996–97 Nil Nil 1,450,385 11,967 1,342,571 78,655
1997–983 Nil Nil 1,593,731 12,939 1,176,410 82.490
1Occupation during part financial year.
2Additional premises acquired part way through the financial year.
3Awaiting invoice for final period for one building. Discussions are continuing with the landlord of one building to identify the increased costs between 1996–97 and 1997–98.