To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the Director General of the National Lottery visited Australia; who paid for the visit; how long was the visit; and what assessment he made as to the conformity of the visit with guidelines. [6684]

The Office of the National Lottery is a non-ministerial Department and therefore responsible for implementing its own hospitality and travel arrangements, taking into account the principles and rules set out in the civil service management code. Oflot is under no obligation to clear with, or inform my department about, detailed arrangements. This is therefore a matter for the director general and I have asked him to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.