To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the next lottery licence competition. (82260)

The National Lottery Commission (NLC) began preparations for the third national lottery operating licence competition in June 2004 with an extensive period of consultation and analysis. The NLC published its statement of main principles in November 2005 before publishing a draft invitation to apply in April 2006 and the final invitation to apply on 29 June. The NLC has asked for bids to be submitted by 15 December 2006 and aims to announce the preferred bidder in mid-May 2007 and finalise the draft third licence with the next operator by July 2007, giving ample time for transition before that licence commences on 1 February 2009. I am confident that the NLC has done everything possible to provide a fair, open and transparent process to deliver a vigorous, well-run competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress on the work of the Big Lottery Fund. (82261)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Lothian (Anne Moffat) on 5 June 2006, Official Report, column 128W.