HC Deb 24 November 1997 vol 301 cc388-9W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will ban smoking(a) within the Millennium Dome and (b) on the Millennium Experience site. [16449]

Mr. Mandelson

In developing their policy within the Dome and its environs the New Millennium Experience Company (the operating company for the Experience at Greenwich) will take fully into account relevant central and local government policies and all statutory requirements and best practice concerning health and fire safety.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what arrangements have been made for the involvement of church, charitable and other non-commercial organisations in the Millennium Exhibition in Greenwich. [16408]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company is planning to focus on spiritual renewal as one of the themes of the Millennium Experience. This will, among other things, look at the major role Christianity has played in shaping this country and the rest of the world over the past 2000 years. It will also reflect the multi-faith nature of modern British society. To this end, the Company is liaising closely with the Churches and Other Faiths Sub-group of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Millennium Co-ordination Group.

The Company is also in discussion with not-for-profit organisations, charities, interest groups and local authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with the Lottery Distributor bodies. The aim of this ongoing consultation process is to enable as many people as possible to contribute to the development of the NMEC's national programme and to maximise participation in it. The national programme, will be an integral part of the Millennium Experience, and will reflect the central Experience theme that It's time to make a difference".

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his meeting with the French Minister for European Affairs on 16 September. [16976]

Mr. Mandelson

We discussed a number of matters of mutual interest including the Luxembourg Jobs summit.