Where lottery profits will go

Government-organised lottery must not fool anyone in Scotland who is or

is not tempted to have a wee flutter on it (January 22).

I have a copy of the National Heritage's press release of December 17

and the prospect is not so glowing. During the worst recession in years

it is set to ''catch the imagination of the nation'' and use your cash

''to bring genuine lasting benefits''.

Reading on, it says ''twenty percent will go to a millennium fund''

which ''will be administered by a new millennium commission appointed by

the Queen'' in London, ''chaired by the secretary for National

Heritage''.

''Distinguished and disinterested commissioners will be appointed.''

No doubt the right people will be chosen and the right fee paid.

''Arts money will be distributed by the Arts Council of Great Britain

(in London) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.'' No mention of

Scotland. We'll get the already agreed percentage and be told to be

grateful (the English regions will say it is too much).

But best of all ''The distributors will work closely with . . .

English Heritage, the Countryside Commission, English Nature, the

Museums and Galleries Commission, the British Film Institute, and the

Crafts Council'' -- every single one of them based in London.

Aye, but there's mair. ''We are creating a new body, the National

Lottery Charities Board -- and intend to set up an Office of National

Lottery to act as a regulator.'' It's name will be Oflot.

What in summary is this ''imaginative'' scheme likely to bring? What

are these ''exciting opportunities''? That much I think is obvious. It

will create a nice range of jobs in London, funded by Joe Public, under

the impression that the money is to go to ''worthy causes'' when in fact

it will take even more money out of Scotland.

And the British Labour Party approves (of course) of it all.

Lionel Hawes,

50 Kingsacre Road,

Glasgow.