HC Deb 08 December 1997 vol 302 cc475-7W
28. Mr. Prior

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what estimate he has made of the entrance fee for the millennium experience. [18006]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company is actively considering a range of entrance fees and ticketing arrangements, with a view to ensuring that as many people as possible have the opportunity to visit the Experience at Greenwich.

29. Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what steps are being taken to promote the Millennium Experience to visitors from overseas. [18007]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company is in detailed discussions with the domestic and overseas travel trade and journals. Initial promotion began at the World Travel Market in London last month. Detailed promotion will begin in Spring 1998, including a feature stand at the British Travel Trade fair in March.

The Millennium Experience will be featured in all relevant travel guides and programmes as a focal event in 2000. The NMEC will participate with British Incoming Tour Operators Association and other appropriate trade groups. The Millennium Experience will feature prominently in the British Tourist Authority's and the London Tourist Board's promotional and liaison programmes. The NMEC's ticketing strategy will recognise the importance of the travel trade to the Millennium Experience.

31. Mr. Fallon

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is his policy on encouraging private sector contributions to the cost of the Millennium Experience. [18009]

Mr. Mandelson

My policy is, with the New Millennium Experience Company, to give every possible encouragement to the private sector to contribute to the cost of the Millennium Experience.

30. Ms Ward

To ask the Minister without Portfolio when he proposes to publish the names of the successful contractors, and their plans, for the exhibitions within the millennium dome. [18008]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced on 2 December that they had concluded contracts with the first 10 designers for the large-scale exhibition structures within the Millennium-Experience. They are Bentheim, Eva Jiricna Architects, HP:ICM LTD., Jasper Jacob Associates, Land Design Studio Ltd., Media Projects International, MUF Architects, Park Avenue, Spectrum, and Work. In association with the NMEC, sponsors and specialist advisers, these designers are now developing further the concepts for the Experience attractions. I have placed a copy of the NMEC'S press release in the Library of the House. Since that announcement the company has concluded a contract with Zaha M. Hadid.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what will be the contents of the Millennium Dome. [18984]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 4 December 1997]]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced on 2 December that it had concluded contracts with the first 10 designers for the large-scale exhibition structures within the Millennium Experience. They are Bentheim, Eva Jiricna Architects, HP:ICM Ltd., Jasper Jacob Associates, Land Design Studio Ltd., Media Projects International, MUF Architects, Park Avenue, Spectrum, and Work. In association with the NMEC, sponsors and specialist advisers, these designers are now developing further the concepts for the Experience attractions. I have placed a copy of the NMEC's press release in the Libraries of the House. Plans for a spectacular central experience that will be shared by all who visit the Dome are also well under way.