---

National Lottery Bill

I was tempted to say that I rather regret that the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, is attacking my right honourable friend behind his back when he is marooned in Melbourne and unable to defend himself, given his other onerous duties at the Commonwealth Games. Fortunately, I am able to defend him. This is not about the Big Lottery Fund seeking to take over other distributors’ business. It merely indicates to the ordinary member of the public seeking to do well and to access funds from the lottery that the Big Lottery will be able to offer real help, expertise and hard information on behalf of the lottery as a whole. It is not a takeover of distribution and has nothing to do with power; it is to do with information to the wider public.  The noble Viscount’s fears should be allayed by these reassurances.