§ 31. Mr. Ben Chapman (Wirral, South)What is his latest assessment of the private sector's financial input to the millennium dome. [61328]
§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Peter Mandelson)As announced on 26 November, the New Millennium Experience Company has confirmed private sponsorship support of £120 million: 80 per cent. of the £150 million target. That is a remarkable achievement and already represents more than double the amount raised previously for any single event in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ChapmanThose are indeed remarkable figures. Do they not confirm that the Labour party is working in dynamic partnership with the private sector; that the pessimism of the Conservative party has again proved unfounded; and that the Conservatives' determination to talk down Britain on this and on other matters is misguided?
§ Mr. MandelsonMy hon. Friend makes a good point. In this, as in so many other aspects of our national life, the Conservative Opposition are desperate for us to fail, and we do not intend to give them that pleasure. I applaud those in the private sector who have shown their commitment to the millennium experience, which will be a great and unique British event. They recognise that their commercial interest coincides with the national interest.
1039 I am pleased to say that, in addition to the information on sponsorship that I have already given to the House, I expect a further £15 million to be announced shortly, and an additional £25 million is subject to detailed negotiation. That is a great achievement by the New Millennium Experience Company, which organises, procures and negotiates the sponsorship, and it deserves our hearty congratulations.
§ Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East)Are the contracts with the sponsors already binding and irrevocable? If not, when precisely will they become so?
§ Mr. MandelsonI am pleased to tell the House that all the sponsorship agreements that I have announced have received full boardroom approval.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)Has my right hon. Friend considered the fact that, to improve the financial input, we need a history section in the dome? It could have a prehistoric zone, in which we could have 750 hereditary peers lined up. They could be photographed with young children and others outside McDonald' s, dressed in their ermine, and they could be led by Baby Dome, the Leader of the Opposition. The result would be a magnificent financial success. We could call it the millennium new deal experience.
§ Mr. MandelsonAs ever, my hon. Friend is most persuasive. I have decided to consider introducing a Cranborne memorial zone, to commemorate a unique contribution to the future of Britain.
§ 32. Mr. Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale, West)How many companies have been approached with requests to sponsor elements of the millennium experience. [61329]
§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Peter Mandelson)The New Millennium Experience Company has approached 50 companies with requests to sponsor elements of the millennium experience.
§ Mr. BradyI thank the Secretary of State for that remarkably and uncharacteristically brief answer. Given 1040 the number of major British companies that have been approached by him and his colleagues, touting for sponsorship for the dome, there will clearly be concern about apparent conflicts of interest for as long as he is in control of the project's sponsorship. That is thrown into sharp relief by reports in the press this weekend suggesting that he has been personally involved in seeking sponsorship from the Hinduja brothers, in stark contrast with the assurance that he gave the House on 9 November, saying that he would never be involved in procuring or negotiating. Will he apologise for apparently misleading the House, inadvertently or otherwise, and make it clear that he will no longer be involved in touting for sponsorship for the dome?
§ Mr. MandelsonI am pleased to say that the Hinduja Foundation is indeed considering making a contribution to the sponsorship of the spirit level zone. That is a much better use of its money than its long-standing financial contributions to the Conservative party.
§ Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge and Chryston)In the various consultations that my right hon. Friend has mentioned, including those on sponsorship, will he remember the important role for the British tourist industry? Does he recall that the Prime Minister has said that Greenwich should be the gateway to the whole of Britain and, in that spirit and in the spirit of a festival of Britain, does he accept that a great industry such as tourism, our fifth biggest, should be given due regard?
§ Mr. MandelsonI am pleased to say that the tourism industry throughout the United Kingdom has been heavily involved in all the planning and organisation of the millennium experience. Everyone who works in that industry or stands to benefit from it will enjoy huge financial benefits and an economic dividend from our organisation of the millennium experience. I predict a halo effect of some £1 billion for the British economy as a result of the decision to organise the millennium experience.