HC Deb 26 February 2001 vol 363 cc391-2W
9. Mr. Healey

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he is taking to ensure national lottery funds are distributed in a way that targets areas with the greatest social needs. [149393]

Mr. Chris Smith

Following the 1998 reforms to the National Lottery, distributors are required to take into account the need to ensure that all areas have access to funding and the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation. Since then, distributors have increasingly targeted funding on areas of need, on people and activities rather than just capital projects, and on smaller grants to community groups. All of this means that, more than ever, the communities with the greatest needs are experiencing the positive effects of National Lottery funding.

23. Mr. St. Aubyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the amount of national lottery proceeds not yet disbursed in favour of good causes. [149409]

Mr. Chris Smith

All the money raised by the National Lottery for good causes has been allocated to one of the 15 National Lottery distributing bodies. As at 31 December 2001, the distributors' balances totalled £3.45 billion, all but £125 million of which has been committed to specific projects.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for the investment of capital reserves arising from the National Lottery into a National Endowment for Sport and Arts Coaching for young people between the ages of seven and 21 years; and if he will make a statement. [148852]

Kate Hoey

The overwhelming majority of the balance of the National Lottery Distribution Fund has already been committed. The Government and Lottery distributors are, however, working to ensure children and young people have access to high-quality sports and arts education. In sport, for example, Sport England and the New Opportunities Fund are using Lottery funds to establish a network of 1,000 co-ordinators across the country to facilitate better PE and sporting opportunities within schools. In the arts, the Government are working with partners on a range of policies, including Creative Partnerships, Artsmark, the National Foundation for Music and the Department for Education and Employment's Music Standards Fund, to deliver high quality arts education.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the fees paid by(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applicants for lottery funding to consultants in each of the last three years. [150540]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 15 February 2001]: None. I have, however, asked the Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST) to investigate the costs of applying for lottery grants. Their first report, published in August 2000, investigated these costs in relation to grants of up to £100,000 and concluded that the main difficulties for these applicants related to administrative burden rather than cost. QUEST is currently carrying out an examination of the costs to applicants of applying for grants over £100,000. This study will establish how feasible it is to quantify the costs incurred by recent applicants (both successful and unsuccessful), including any fees paid for consultants and other professional services. If this study, which will conclude in May, demonstrates that such a quantification of costs is feasible, QUEST may undertake a full-scale investigation.