Millennium Dome (Hansard, 21 May 1998)

§ Mr. Fabricant
To ask the Minister without Portfolio what percentage of the construction workers at the Millennium Dome site in Greenwich have suffered from(a) dermatological and (b) pulmonary, including asthmatic, dysfunctions over the last six months; and how many working days have been lost as a result of (a) and (b). [38214]

§ Mr. Mandelson
[holding answer 7 April 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 78.
490W

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to exhibit United Kingdom engineering excellence in the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement. [41103]

§ Mr. Mandelson
The structure of the Dome is already a clear demonstration of the United Kingdom's excellence in architecture, engineering and design, and stands as an impressive new landmark on London's skyline. The exhibits in, and construction of the content of, the Dome will also provide many opportunities to demonstrate the UK's engineering excellence. In addition, a number of state-of-the art designs from the Millennium products award scheme will be featured inside the Dome.

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the Guidance on Policy Appraisal and the Environment produced by DETR was fully applied in respect of the choice of the air-conditioning system for the Dome. [41775]

§ Mr. Mandelson
[holding answer 14 May 1998): The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" guidance concerns appraisal of the environmental effects of policies or programmes, not projects. DETR have issued other guidance and advice on green issues that are more relevant to projects. In particular, DETR's "Green Guide for Buyers" recognises that HFCs have a high total equivalent warming impact if they are allowed to escape into the atmosphere and, as a consequence, their use is discouraged where there is a risk of high emissions. High emissions are defined in the voluntary agreement between the refrigeration industry and the Government as those in excess of 10 per cent. loss of initial charge annually from service and/or breakdown. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has set a target of 1 per cent. for the chiller units which they have procured for the Dome. Regular independent audits will be carried out to ensure that the target is met.

§ Mrs. Brinton
To ask the Minister without Portfolio in what ways the Millennium Dome will demonstrate environmentally friendly British technology. [41930]

§ Mr. Mandelson
The exhibit in the Dome currently entitled "Living Island" will explore ways in which individuals can protect and enhance their environment. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is in regular touch with DTI and DETR on science and technology and environmental matters, and is consulting and seeking advice from a number of environmental groups about the content and nature of this zone. The NMEC aims to include a range of features on the Dome site which demonstrate applications of environmental technology. The Millennium Experience will also feature a number of environmental state of the art products and services from the Millennium products award scheme.

§ Mr. Mitchell
To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) what fire prevention measures will be installed in the Millennium Dome; [42654]
(2) what assessment he has made of the risk of release of toxic gases from the structure of the Millennium Dome in the event of a fire. [42616]

§ Mr. Mandelson
The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) first concern is with the safety of people visiting and working in the Dome. The Company 491W has been liaising closely with Greenwich Council and the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority (LFCDA) on fire prevention and safety issues. It has carried out detailed investigations into the potential effects of fire on the Dome's structure, with particular attention to the cladding material. The use of PTFE coated glass fibre cladding has been accepted both by Greenwich Council and by the LFCDA.
A number of fire prevention and detection measures will be adopted within the Millennium Dome both to minimise the risk of fire and to ensure early warning and the safety of the public in the event of a fire. Sprinkler systems and smoke extractors will be installed to minimise the impact of fire. Detailed studies have been carried out to ensure effective evacuation should this prove necessary.