§ 37. Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ensure that there is sufficient help and advice from the millennium festival on funding applications for regional and local events and activities to the Millennium Festival fund. [65229]
§ Janet AndersonThe Millennium Festival is a partnership initiative between the Lottery Distribution bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the New Millennium Experience Company. It aims to give as many people as possible financial and other support for events and activities within their communities during 2000. Promotional and administrative support for the Festival is provided by NMEC's twelve country-wide offices. Staff in those offices are available to advise anyone who is interested in the Millennium Festival and I have today placed contact details in the Libraries of the House.
The funding round for larger awards—over £5,000—which opened on 5 May 1998 has now closed. Decisions on the Awards will be announced in February 1999. The funding round for smaller community schemes—seeking between £250 and £5,000—will open in the spring of 1999.