HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 c919W
Mr. Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his current forecast of the percentage of the National Lottery Distribution Fund which will be given to each of the good causes in each year from 1999 to 2003. [55589]

Mr. Banks

The National Lottery Act 1998 provided for Lottery income for good causes to be apportioned as follows:

Percentage
Arts 16⅔
Sport 16⅔
Charities 16⅔
Heritage 16⅔
Projects to mark the Millennium 20
Health, education or the environment (New Opportunities Fund) 13⅓

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced that the arts, sport, heritage and charities are each guaranteed 16⅔ per cent. of Lottery proceeds for good causes after the current licence expires in 2001. He has also announced that, due to an increase in forecast Lottery income, these good causes will each receive £50 million more than previously forecast during the licence period, and that the New Opportunities Fund will receive an additional £400 million. This will require adjustments to the current percentage shares and the Government will lay an Order in due course, after consulting the Lottery distributors, to give effect to the necessary changes. When the Millennium Commission has received £2,017 billion, its share will go to the New Opportunities Fund.

Mr. Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his current forecast of the date on which the Millennium Commission will cease to receive income from the National Lottery Distribution Fund. [55590]

Mr. Banks

The Millennium Commission has been guaranteed a total income of £2.017 billion. When this is reached, its share of income from the National Lottery will go to the New Opportunities Fund. The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 provided for the Commission's funding to continue until 31 December 2000. If it is necessary to extend the Commission's funding life beyond that date, the Government have the power by Order to do so. The Government are currently considering the implications for the Commission of the revised forecast of Lottery income and will make a further announcement in due course.