National Lottery
21st June 2010
Louise Bagshawe calls for National Lottery funding to be used for the causes it was originally set up for.
Ms Louise Bagshawe (Corby) (Con): What recent assessment he has made of the effects on the arts sector of the funding it receives from the national lottery; and if he will make a statement. [2999]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): May I welcome my hon. Friend to these Benches and say what a delight it is to have such a distinguished author among us? I understand that her latest novel-
Mr Speaker: Order. Will the hon. Gentleman resume his seat? I do not want an essay at the start of a reply to a question. The hon. Gentleman will answer the question, and we will make do with that.
Mr Vaizey: Absolutely. I was going to say that I felt that the-
Mr Speaker: Order. May I say to the Minister that he should answer the question, and then we will move on?
Mr Vaizey: I was about to do so, Mr Speaker. I was about to say that in my view the national lottery has had a transformative effect on the arts since its creation under the previous Conservative Government in 1994, putting £3.5 billion into the arts.
Ms Bagshawe: I thank the Minister for his welcome. May I say to him that my constituents have been dismayed to see national lottery funding for the arts, sport and heritage cut by more than 50% under Labour? Will he expand a little on how he intends to return lottery funding to its original purpose, so that it will help grass-roots organisations in my constituency?
Mr Vaizey: I share my hon. Friend's concern. In opposition, we campaigned against the cuts to national lottery funding imposed by the previous Government. I am delighted that we are bringing forward measures to increase the funding available for the arts from the national lottery: in two years' time it will have increased by £50 million a year.
