§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what amount of money is currently held in the National Lottery distribution fund which has not been allocated to Lottery distributors. [95142]
§ Kate HoeyNone. All of the money held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund is allocated to Lottery distributors.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list those parties which have applied for the new licence to operate the National Lottery; [95141]
(2) if he will make a statement on progress towards appointing a contractor to operate the new licence to run the National Lottery. [95139]
§ Kate HoeyResponsibility for appointing the operator for the new National Lottery licence rests with the Lottery regulator, the National Lottery Commission. The Commission issued a draft Invitation to Apply for the new licence and a draft licence on 30 September 1999 and invited comments from potential bidders. The Commission aims to issue the final Invitation to Apply and a revised draft licence by the end of November 1999. Bidders will be asked to submit Letters of Intent by 7 January 2000. The deadline for applications is noon on 29 February 2000.
No applications have yet been received for the new licence.