My Lords, I thank the Minister for that very constructive reply. Indeed, he was entirely correct that we would have pressed the amendment to a Division without that assurance. But the assurance that he has given us is very solid and points the way forward to the voluntary sector in particular...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that very constructive reply. Indeed, he was entirely correct that we would have pressed the amendment to a Division without that assurance. But the assurance that he has given us is very solid and points the way forward to the voluntary sector in particular...

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords who have contributed to the debate, although I must say that I have not heard arguments today which are very different from those presented in Committee. Therefore, I am sure noble Lords will not be surprised that my response is very much along the lines...

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords who have contributed to the debate, although I must say that I have not heard arguments today which are very different from those presented in Committee. Therefore, I am sure noble Lords will not be surprised that my response is very much along the lines...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for giving way. Does he recall that a similar amendment was made to the Olympics Bill on consultation? The precise words—except for ““if any””—are contained in new subsection (3C)(e) in Clause 7(3). Does the noble Lord agree that Clause 8 would be much more consistent with Clause 7 if these words...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for giving way. Does he recall that a similar amendment was made to the Olympics Bill on consultation? The precise words—except for ““if any””—are contained in new subsection (3C)(e) in Clause 7(3). Does the noble Lord agree that Clause 8 would be much more consistent with Clause 7 if these words...

moved Amendment No. 8:"Page 7, leave out lines 4 and 5." The noble Lord said: My Lords, in Committee, we had a fair degree of debate about the provisions of Clause 11, which has various purposes, but is essentially designed to ensure that the National Lottery distributors take a greater part in publicising aspects of...

moved Amendment No. 8:"Page 7, leave out lines 4 and 5." The noble Lord said: My Lords, in Committee, we had a fair degree of debate about the provisions of Clause 11, which has various purposes, but is essentially designed to ensure that the National Lottery distributors take a greater part in publicising aspects of...

National Lottery Bill. Lords Report stage (HL Bill 97 2005-06)

National Lottery Bill. Lords Report stage (HL Bill 97 2005-06)

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Davies, said that he was not being overprescriptive. In that case, he will not have much of a problem in accepting my amendment. But, of course, that will not be the case. He said that there would be no new arguments from the Government: I think...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Davies, said that he was not being overprescriptive. In that case, he will not have much of a problem in accepting my amendment. But, of course, that will not be the case. He said that there would be no new arguments from the Government: I think...

moved Amendment No. 2:"Page 5, line 18, at end insert ““, or" (v)   for the purpose of national acquisitions, as defined by the rules of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, such expenditure to be managed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.”””” The noble Viscount said: My Lords, this amendment concerns the possibility of a...

moved Amendment No. 2:"Page 5, line 18, at end insert ““, or" (v)   for the purpose of national acquisitions, as defined by the rules of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, such expenditure to be managed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.”””” The noble Viscount said: My Lords, this amendment concerns the possibility of a...

My Lords, the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, has spoken rather modestly. We on the Liberal Democrat Benches fully agree with what he is trying to do. At present the funding of acquisitions seems to be a low, if not marginal, priority of the Government. Collections must not, and cannot, remain static. Back...

My Lords, the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, has spoken rather modestly. We on the Liberal Democrat Benches fully agree with what he is trying to do. At present the funding of acquisitions seems to be a low, if not marginal, priority of the Government. Collections must not, and cannot, remain static. Back...

My Lords, on that last point I shall not dispute with the noble Baroness that there are extremely worthwhile possibilities in terms of the effects of the resources that are available for ensuring that we increase our very extensive art collections in this country. But the issue is not whether there...

My Lords, on that last point I shall not dispute with the noble Baroness that there are extremely worthwhile possibilities in terms of the effects of the resources that are available for ensuring that we increase our very extensive art collections in this country. But the issue is not whether there...

My Lords, the Minister said that this would require judgments to be made outside the Heritage Lottery Fund. If the Minister looks at my amendment with care, he will see that is not the case. It enables the Big Lottery Fund to fund an acquisitions fund, and I clearly said in...

My Lords, the Minister said that this would require judgments to be made outside the Heritage Lottery Fund. If the Minister looks at my amendment with care, he will see that is not the case. It enables the Big Lottery Fund to fund an acquisitions fund, and I clearly said in...

moved Amendment No. 4:"Page 6, leave out lines 6 to 8." The noble Viscount said: My Lords, this simple amendment prevents money in outstanding balances from being used by being moved from one distributor to another. As the Minister said, this is a reserved power, only to be deployed in extreme situations....

moved Amendment No. 4:"Page 6, leave out lines 6 to 8." The noble Viscount said: My Lords, this simple amendment prevents money in outstanding balances from being used by being moved from one distributor to another. As the Minister said, this is a reserved power, only to be deployed in extreme situations....

My Lords, we on these Benches agree with the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, that the Bill in its current form constitutes an unacceptable level of government control over funding from the Big Lottery. In Committee, the Minister talked of broad categories, high-level themes and a broad strategy, not detailed prescription. His...

My Lords, we on these Benches agree with the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, that the Bill in its current form constitutes an unacceptable level of government control over funding from the Big Lottery. In Committee, the Minister talked of broad categories, high-level themes and a broad strategy, not detailed prescription. His...

moved Amendment No. 1:"Page 5, line 13, leave out ““prescribed””" The noble Viscount said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 1, I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 3 and 14. The main aim of these amendments is to ensure that the Big Lottery Fund is officially established on the same footing as the other distributing bodies with...

moved Amendment No. 1:"Page 5, line 13, leave out ““prescribed””" The noble Viscount said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 1, I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 3 and 14. The main aim of these amendments is to ensure that the Big Lottery Fund is officially established on the same footing as the other distributing bodies with...

My Lords, I am reassured for now. I would not wish to press too far the comparison between Ministers of the Crown and the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. None the less, one hopes for good memories and good briefings in future. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment...

My Lords, I am reassured for now. I would not wish to press too far the comparison between Ministers of the Crown and the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. None the less, one hopes for good memories and good briefings in future. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment...

My Lords, we are talking about a slightly different area of power. We have the power in the Bill as a consequence of the way of the way action is taken subsequent to the decision being taken. I take on board the noble Viscount’s point. If he proves to be right—and...

My Lords, we are talking about a slightly different area of power. We have the power in the Bill as a consequence of the way of the way action is taken subsequent to the decision being taken. I take on board the noble Viscount’s point. If he proves to be right—and...

My Lords, the Minister is very kind, but he has tempted me to my feet and I am afraid that I cannot resist. I quite understand what he said, but perhaps he could deal with a point of principle that relates to what the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, said. A grant of almost £30,000 was...

My Lords, the Minister is very kind, but he has tempted me to my feet and I am afraid that I cannot resist. I quite understand what he said, but perhaps he could deal with a point of principle that relates to what the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, said. A grant of almost £30,000 was...

My Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, indicated, we had an extensive debate on this in Committee, and I appreciate his concern that this paragraph could be interpreted as empowering lottery distributors with the opportunity to encourage people to gamble. That is not the intention behind the paragraph. The promotion of...

My Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, indicated, we had an extensive debate on this in Committee, and I appreciate his concern that this paragraph could be interpreted as empowering lottery distributors with the opportunity to encourage people to gamble. That is not the intention behind the paragraph. The promotion of...

My Lords, may I correct the Minister? I hope that he will not go away with the wrong impression. I would never get involved in any project or ask the Government to comment on any project. My question concerns the principle of Sport England saying that it should not take into account the...

My Lords, may I correct the Minister? I hope that he will not go away with the wrong impression. I would never get involved in any project or ask the Government to comment on any project. My question concerns the principle of Sport England saying that it should not take into account the...

My Lords, the noble Viscount will realise that I was waxing rather more happily about the problems of Peruvian guinea pigs than about expenditure on Manchester United. It is an illustration of bad news driving out good—an all-too-frequent experience, as we all know. Quite frankly, 3 per cent of the money which...

My Lords, the noble Viscount will realise that I was waxing rather more happily about the problems of Peruvian guinea pigs than about expenditure on Manchester United. It is an illustration of bad news driving out good—an all-too-frequent experience, as we all know. Quite frankly, 3 per cent of the money which...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for the terms in which he has moved the amendment. He will recognise that Clause 9 changes the way that income earned from the investment of the National Lottery Distribution Fund is divided between lottery distributors. We proposed changes to the method of allocating...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for the terms in which he has moved the amendment. He will recognise that Clause 9 changes the way that income earned from the investment of the National Lottery Distribution Fund is divided between lottery distributors. We proposed changes to the method of allocating...