HC Deb 29 October 2003 vol 412 cc281-2W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance is given to the National Lottery regarding the use of timber and sustainable sources in lottery-funded projects; and if she will make a statement. [135073]

Estelle Morris

While it remains a fundamental principle that lottery distributors make decisions independently of Government on considering applications for grants for lottery-funded projects, the Government have issued them with a number of Policy Directions. One of these encourages the distributors to take into account 'the need to further the objective of sustainable development'. This would include, although does not specifically relate to, the use of timber.

The Department is aware of the importance of procuring timber from responsibly managed and sustainable sources and actively encourages all of its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) to take account of the principles of sustainable development in making grants.