HC Deb 16 February 1998 vol 306 cc516-8W
33. Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is his estimate of the cost of the millennium experience. [27617]

Mr. Mandelson

The cost of the Millennium Experience and its associated national programme of events will be met by a grant of £399 million (net) from the Millennium Commission and forecast income totalling £359 million from sponsorship, commercial activities, visitor revenues and disposal income.

34. Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Minister without Portfolio to what extent the contents of the millennium dome will reflect Welsh and Scottish identities. [27618]

Mr. Mandelson

The Millennium Experience at Greenwich and its associated national programme of events and activities will appeal to and be relevant to people of all ages and interests wherever they may live. The overarching theme, "Time to Make a Difference", will encourage participation of individuals in all areas of the United Kingdom. NMEC is setting up teams in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the nine regions of England.

36. Mr. Cranston

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on progress in securing financial sponsorship for the millennium exhibition. [27620]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) are at crucial stages of very promising negotiations with a wide range of companies.

37. Mr. Swayne

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the work of M&C Saatchi in respect of the millennium experience. [27621]

Mr. Mandelson

After full competitive tendering M&C Saatchi were chosen by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) to develop an integrated communications strategy for the Millennium Experience. This will incorporate media purchasing, production, direct marketing, Advertising Agency Service and other elements of integrated communications. That work is underway.

38. Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what consultations he has held with the appropriate local authorities about the impact of traffic relating to attendance at the dome in Greenwich. [27622]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company have had regular discussions with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, the relevant local authorities and London Transport to ensure that there is minimal traffic impact on Greenwich and its surrounding area.

The site will be a car free zone. A multi-modal integrated public transport system, including new river boat services and the new Jubilee Line Extension, will provide a variety of means of getting to the Millennium Experience.

39. Mr. Wilkinson

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what percentage of his total personal ministerial travel, accommodation and related subsistence expenditure in respect of his work on the millennium experience has been devoted to visits to EU countries. [27623]

Mr. Mandelson

I have visited Futuroscope in Poitiers as part of an official visit to France which cost approximately £970 in total; and Disney World in Florida as part of an official visit to the United States which cost approximately £3,450 in total.

Mr. Edward Davey

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how he intends to involve a representative selection of young people in the Millennium Dome project. [28229]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is developing proposals to ensure that young people across the country are able to put forward their views and ideas on the Millennium Experience at Greenwich and the associated national programme of events and activities. These proposals envisage Regional Junior Boards in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the nine English regions, each comprising twenty young people between the ages of 9 and 16, whom local education establishments and agencies have been asked to nominate. The Boards will be chaired by NMEC's national programme Education Managers for each region, and will meet twice a term. NMEC's objective is to arrange the first such meeting this summer.

The proposals also envisage that one member of each Regional Junior Board will sit on the National Junior Board, together with representatives of the major national youth organisations and agencies.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list(a) the United Kingdom publications and (b) the US publications in which contracts for the air- conditioning system of the Millennium Dome were advertised. [28132]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 9 February 1998]: The contract for the design, manufacture and supply, testing and commissioning of mechanical and electrical plant for the Millennium Dome (including boilers, chillers, air handling units, standby generators, transformers and packaged substations) was advertised on 7 June 1997 in the Official Journal of the European Communities as required by European law on public procurement.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 1998,Official Report, column 432, on transport arrangements for the Millennium Experience, what discussions the New Millennium Experience has had with Scottish public transport providers. [27982]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company has had discussions with the Association of Train Operating Companies (of which ScotRail is a member), and is exploring ticketing options with the operators of large and small coach fleets in respect of scheduled services and private hire from across the UK.