§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 1999,Official Report, columns 77–78, on the Heritage Lottery Fund, if he discussed his answer with the (a) former and (b) present Chairman of the Heritage Fund. [72228]
§ Mr. Chris SmithMy hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts did not discuss the Answer with either the former or the present Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The guarantee we have given that there will be no further adjustments to the percentage shares of Lottery income for the arts, sport, heritage and charities, and that each can count on receiving 16 per cent. after the current temporary reduction ends in May, and beyond 2001, is excellent news for these good causes and for the Heritage Lottery Fund.