§ 28. Mr. FraserTo ask the Minister without Portfolio what will be the total cost of constructing the millennium dome at Greenwich. [13455]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe overall cash budget for the Millennium Experience and associated national programme is £758 million. For that the Nation will get: the catalyst for the long-term physical and economic regeneration of a site that has lain derelict for over 20 years; the most famous new building of the year 2000; an Experience that will be the most original and inspiring Millennium event anywhere in the world; and a National Programme of events and activities that will extend right across the Country.
§ 29. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister without Portfolio what monitoring he has undertaken of employees contracted to work on the dome. [13456]
§ Mr. MandelsonIt is for the individual contractors to monitor their own employees. NMEC's work contracts meet all relevant legal requirements.
Contracts also reflect best practice in matters such as Considerate Contractor Scheme. All aspects of the contracts are regularly monitored by the company to ensure compliance.
§ 30. Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to move the millennium dome from Greenwich in 2001. [13457]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe Government are currently considering a range of possible, self-financing, uses for the Millennium Experience Dome at Greenwich or possibly elsewhere after 2000.
§ 31. Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Minister without Portfolio how long the millennium experience will be maintained at Greenwich. [13458]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe Experience will, as presently planned, run on the Greenwich site for 367 days from 31 December 1999 to 31 December 2000.