HC Deb 20 May 1998 vol 312 cc372-3W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the steps being taken to minimise release to the atmosphere of the gas HFC 134a from the proposed air-conditioning system within the Millennium Dome; and what weight of gas he expects will be released for each year of operation of the Dome. [40553]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 7 May 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 March 1998, Official Report, column 602. The chiller units procured by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) are hermetically sealed and have been designed to be leak-free in operation.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what assessment was made of the air-conditioning systems used by(a) the National Portrait Gallery and (b) the National Trust before deciding which system to use in the Millennium Dome. [40548]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 7 May 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) took advice from its professional consultants about the design of cooling systems and a wide variety of solutions were considered. The Company put this contract out to tender according to European public procurement requirements, and did not specify in the advertisement either the type of chiller unit or the choice of refrigerant. The Company concluded in the light of tenders received that, given the unique requirements of the Dome, which have no existing direct equivalent, the chiller units selected offer the safest and most flexible solution in the time available.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what instructions he has given to the New Millennium Experience Company regarding the type of air-conditioning to be used in the Millennium Dome. [40547]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 7 May 1998]I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 26 March 1998,Official Report, column 247 and 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 77.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the Living Island within the Millennium Dome will provide information in respect of climate change. [40544]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 7 May 1998]: Yes. The Living Island zone will explore the nature of mankind's relationship with the natural environment and examine the environmental challenges that face the world locally, nationally and globally. The New Millennium Experience Company is working with environmental non-governmental organisations in developing the zone's content.