National Lottery Bill

I support the amendment in principle. I have tabled an amendment which tries to do something different. The noble Viscount, Lord Astor, has put the case very clearly. We are dealing with the whole principle about moving balances from one fund to another. The view from these Benches is that it should either not exist or it should be at the behest of an independent body. I shall be arguing for a particular form of independent body, but if the Government do not accede to that, then that power should not exist. It is open to abuse, it is not qualified enough and it is a new addition to the 1993 Act. I await the Minister’s explanation with interest, but I cannot see any justification for the provision.