§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to alter the ticketing arrangements for the Millennium Dome; and what effect the changes will have on the(a) 12 million visitor target and (b) anticipated income stream. [114542]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 14 March 2000]: From 1 April, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is introducing extended opening times. Visitors can enjoy the Dome from 09.00 to 20.00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 09.00 to 23.00 on Fridays, Saturdays, Bank Holidays and during school holidays and the peak summer periods—providing a maximum potential visit time of 14 hours.
The Government are extremely encouraged by the continuing upward trend in visitor numbers to the Dome. Ten million paying visitors will enable the Company to deliver a break even operating budget. However NMEC's target remains at 12 million.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people from North Yorkshire have bought tickets to visit the Millennium Dome in January and February 2000. [111406]
§ Janet AndersonI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) on 17 March 2000,Official Report, column 368W. NMEC are unable to provide a regional break down of ticket sales.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who owns the copyright associated with each of the exhibits in the Millennium Dome. [109727]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 11 February 2000]: The contractual terms of each exhibit vary reflecting the different nature and type of exhibit—both in terms of structure and content. Similarly arrangements regarding copyright and intellectual property rights vary. As is normal practice, these contracts contain confidentiality clauses applicable to both parties. NMEC considers that publication of details, including ownership of copyright, from individual contracts runs the risk of adversely impacting on its relationships with its designers and, therefore, on its ability to operate in an effective and commercial manner.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the payments overdue to zone designers at the Millennium Dome at 7 February. [109959]
499W
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 14 February 2000]: The policy of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is to pay suppliers within the terms of the contractual arrangements agreed, which is usually 30 days from the day of the invoice, subject to resolution of any queries on the invoice within the 20 day period. As at 7 February, a total of £1.8 million of invoices registered in NMEC's Finance Department remained the subject of on-going discussion with zone designers outside the 30 day period; a total of £2.1 million overdue on the 30 day basis at 7 February—and following resolution of queries where they arose—was released for payment on 14 February.