§ 30. Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire)What will be the religious content of the celebrations planned at the dome on 31 December 1999. [773991]
§ The Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting (Janet Anderson)The New Millennium Experience Company is currently developing plans for the opening celebrations of the dome on 31 December this year in discussion with Government and others, including the Lambeth group. The nature and scope of the celebrations will be announced in due course.
§ Mr. GrayI am glad that we still have time to make representations to the Minister. Will she take this opportunity to acknowledge that 2000 and the millennium mean only one thing: the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ? Will she find a way of ensuring that there is a moment for quiet Christian reflection in the dome during the opening ceremony on 31 December, led by leading clergy from the Roman Catholic, Church of England and non-conformist Churches?
§ Janet AndersonI assure the hon. Gentleman that we recognise the significance of the millennium as a Christian anniversary, and discussions are continuing to decide how that will be reflected on the opening night. We hope to make an announcement in due course.
§ Mr. David Borrow (South Ribble)Does my hon. Friend agree that, as many people will travel to the millennium dome next year, it will provide an ideal opportunity not just for Christian worship and for displaying Christian beliefs but to present the many religious faiths that exist in this country? That will be an important experience for communities that are overwhelmingly of one faith and may not have knowledge of the range of faiths in the United Kingdom.
§ Janet AndersonWe understand that we must recognise the interests of all faiths represented in this country. Discussions are continuing about the matter, and we hope to make an announcement soon.
§ Mr. Simon Hughes (Southwark, North and Bermondsey)The House will be grateful for the Minister's 723 announcements as far as they go. However, can she confirm that those in charge of the events have received a request from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster that some time be set aside in the minutes before midnight on new year's eve for a Christian act of worship? Why is there any delay in the Government's saying, "Yes, of course", since it is very simple request and that is the most obvious occasion?
§ Janet AndersonAs I said earlier, discussions are continuing. We are seeking to ensure that those who want to be involved are part of the opening celebrations. We will make an announcement about the matter as soon as possible.
§ 31. Mr. Keith Vaz (Leicester, East)How the multi-faith nature of Britain is to be demonstrated in the dome. [77400]
§ The Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting (Janet Anderson)The New Millennium Experience Company has worked hard in partnership with the Lambeth group to ensure that the multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom is reflected sensitively in the dome. The zone that will provide the focus for faith issues will encourage visitors to explore moments in human experience. The architecture of the zone will evoke the idea that it is a stopping place on people's spiritual journeys—whatever their faith. The NMEC is also providing a separate quiet space that will be available for private prayer and meditation by all faiths, and space has been made available for the performance of daily prayers by Muslims, which will be funded by that community.
§ Mr. VazI congratulate my noble Friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton on the work that he has done to ensure that the Lambeth group truly represents all faiths in Britain. Will the Minister assure the House that the celebrations will not be hijacked by the Archbishop of Canterbury? We must recognise that many faiths in Britain wish to be represented in the dome and present at the ceremony. Will the Minister give a further assurance that other faiths and other races will be invited to the dome to make it and the opening celebrations truly representative of the diverse nature of Britain in 1999?
§ Janet AndersonI thank my hon. Friend for his support for our attempts to ensure that all faiths are properly represented. [Interruption.] I point out to the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray) that we are trying to give as detailed a response as possible. I am sorry that he is taking the trouble to denigrate that; he should welcome what we have said.
As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), we are doing our best to ensure that all faiths are involved and will make an announcement on the matter as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Gerald Howarth (Aldershot)Does not the Minister understand that she cannot have it both ways? If she accedes to the request of her hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) that faiths other than Christianity should be well represented in this millennium experience, that must, to some extent, be at the expense of what the festival is all about. As my hon. Friend the Member for North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray) said, the festival 724 is about Christianity; if the Government cannot come off the fence and understand that it should be a glorious celebration of 2,000 years of Christianity, and get the Prime Minister on-side, what on earth do they think they are doing?
§ Janet AndersonObviously, the hon. Gentleman was not listening earlier, so I repeat that we do recognise the Christian significance and importance of this event, but I am extremely sorry that he should imply that we should exclude large sections of our population who follow different faiths. The Government's intention is try to include everyone; I am sorry that that is not the Opposition's position.