Lotteries: Good Causes

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Thursday 18th July 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I am sure that more could be done. I will certainly take that suggestion away. The interesting statistic is that 55% of people who buy society lottery tickets are motivated by supporting a specific charity. On the National Lottery, however, only 15% buy a ticket to support good causes; people want to win large jackpots and life-changing amounts of money.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

As we are discussing good causes, perhaps we could return to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter. We bitterly regret her removal from the Front Bench. She and I have had great disagreements over Europe, but we very much regret the fact that she will no longer represent her party on this issue.

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I agree—life is a lottery.

Brexit: Creative Industries’ Access to European Markets

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Wednesday 15th May 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I agree that that is an issue; that is why there is a year-long consultation. We will represent the views of the creative industries to the Home Office.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

Does my noble friend think that the vote on Thursday 23rd for the European Parliament will very much suffice for a second referendum?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I think my noble friend would agree that they are two very different things.

Sackler Trust: Donations

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Wednesday 27th March 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

As I have said a couple of times in the last two or three weeks, the museum sector is not affected by local authority cuts, to the extent that museums have found other methods of funding themselves. I think we should nail this one. The Mendoza report said that the funding for museums across the whole sector had been broadly flat. I take the noble Lord’s point that it is easier for a large national portfolio organisation to attract large philanthropic donations. That is not surprising, but it is exactly why Arts Council England, which we support, has made a big effort to spread its funding outside London. Last year, 70% of Arts Council England funding was awarded outside London.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

Does my noble friend the Minister know of any plans to review the Nobel Peace Prize, which as we all know is financed by the sale of munitions and explosives?

Broadcasting: Public Sector Content

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Monday 4th February 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I can do better than that. I will repeat what the Secretary of State said to the DCMS shadow Secretary of State:

“The Government has made clear that if the Ofcom report concludes that there is a problem with the current prominence regime that needs fixing with the legislation, then we will look to bring that forward”.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

My Lords, does public sector content include “Songs of Praise”, which the BBC insists on moving about to different times on Sunday, presumably with the ambition that it should eventually lose its audience altogether?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

As my noble friend knows well, editorial decisions are for the BBC, not the Government.

BBC: Brexit

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Tuesday 30th January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

As I have said, it is not up to the Government to express an opinion on editorial matters.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

My noble friend referred to the complaints procedure of the BBC. Can he quote any instances where complaints about political bias have been upheld?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

There are about 3,000 comments a day—I do not know the details of any complaints.