§ 26. Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage the full use of national lottery money allocated this year for sporting and cultural activities in Yorkshire and Humberside. [77395]
§ Mr. BanksAlthough National Lottery money is not allocated specifically on a regional basis, we want all regions of the country, including Yorkshire and Humberside, to receive their fair share of funds. Measures in the National Lottery Act 1998 and recent changes in Policy Directions to the distributors will help to achieve this. The investigation which the English Sports Council, the Arts Council of England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Lottery Charities Board, the Millennium Commission and the New Opportunities Fund are undertaking into the reasons for the low take-up of funds in coalfield areas will also help to ensure that people in Yorkshire and Humberside benefit as much as possible from the National Lottery.