(a) Why has the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) failed to allocate funding towards animal welfare groups, specifically the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for the past two financial years, (b) What are the detailed reasons and rationale behind this decision and (c) What plans does his department have in place to assist animal welfare organisations, as these groups rely solely on funding from the NLC and the public in order to provide free services and assistance in poor communities?