§ Lord Freybergasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Heritage Lottery Fund has been informally asked to reduce the size of lottery awards to ensure that there will be sufficient funds for Britain's Olympic bid. [HL2156]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyWe have made no such request of the Heritage Lottery Fund. Lottery funding will not be used for bidding costs, but for the staging of the Olympic Games. The costs of bidding to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012 will be met by DCMS from exchequer funds, by the London Development Agency, and through financial support or value in kind from commercial or other organisations. In the event of a successful bid, the lottery contribution to the costs of staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 will be up to180WA £1.5 billion. This will consist of £750 million from new Olympic lottery games, £340 million from sport lottery distributors, and up to £410 million, if required, from changing percentage shares after 2009. New Olympic lottery games would not begin until after a decision has been taken in July 2005 on who will host the Olympics, and then only in the event of London being awarded the games.