Lotteries: Good Causes

Debate between Lord Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

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 She and I have had great disagreements over Europe, but we very much regret the fact that she will no longer represent her party on this issue.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 Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

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 Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

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 Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

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 Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

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.

Channel 4

Debate between Lord Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

Wednesday 29th March 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

No. At the moment the Government are not looking at that. They have made their decision clear; the current ownership will stay the same. There is a prospect of looking at a potential increase in the share of any independent production company that Channel 4 can own. It is currently limited to 25%.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

My Lords, would not the independence of Channel 4 have been much more guaranteed if it had been privatised?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

My Lords, I do not agree with that.

Trustees

Debate between Lord Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Ashton of Hyde

Thursday 3rd November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

Of course, I agree that that is important. It is particularly useful that young trustees can sit alongside older and more experienced ones and learn. The Charity Commission gives as much guidance as it can and is always refining that guidance, both for existing and young trustees. I make the point that the Charity Commission is not there to second-guess trustees, but to use its powers to correct areas of significant abuse. For most trustees, the Charity Commission does not invoke its powers at all.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

My Lords, following the comments of the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, can the Minister confirm that most trustees are not paid but their liabilities for whatever charity they are involved in are unlimited, as the trustees of Kids Company are now finding out? I declare an interest as the trustee of many charities.

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

My noble friend is right that most trustees are not paid. Generally, the voluntary sector regards that as a good thing and does not want them to be paid. However, it is possible, with Charity Commission permission, to pay trustees; for example, for youth and diversity reasons it might be sensible to pay a trustee. I take on board my noble friend’s point about liability.