§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guarantees have been(a) sought by his Department and (b) given by Legacy plc in relation to the proposed acquisition of the Millennium Dome site. [140187]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe details of discussions so far with Legacy plc and the issues to be pursued through negotiations are all commercially confidential while negotiations continue. In general terms, the Government have sought assurances about Legacy's scheme in relation to each of the published evaluation criteria for the competition.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the value is of the bid by Legacy plc for the Millennium Dome site; [140188]
(2) if the arrangements for Legacy plc to acquire the Millennium Dome site will include provision for a down payment; and if he will make a statement. [140189]
§ Ms ArmstrongDetails of the proposed overall financial consideration for the sale of the Dome to Legacy plc must remain commercially confidential at this stage. The arrangements for Legacy plc to acquire the Millennium Dome will include a cash consideration on exchange of contracts and a further cash consideration on completion of the sale, as well as other components.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the terms and conditions attached to the granting of preferred bidder status for the Millennium Dome site to Legacy plc. [140186]
§ Ms ArmstrongSuch issues are commercially confidential while negotiations with Legacy plc continue.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 November 2000,Official Report, column 25W, on the Millennium Dome, from which parties he received expressions of interest in procuring the Dome after Nomura withdrew its bid. [140219]
§ Ms ArmstrongBoth the Dome Europe and Legacy bids have been assessed within the framework of the competition to find a long-term sustainable use for the Millennium Dome. A number of unsolicited expressions of interest in the Dome have separately been received from third parties, mostly submitted in confidence or of a superficial nature. Since the Government have been pursuing a competition on a defined basis, these expressions of interest have not been evaluated.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 20 November 2000,Official Report, 331W column 25W, on the Millennium Dome, what the outstanding contractual issues are; and if he will publish the agreed timetable for resolving all such issues. [140217]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe details of the issues to be pursued through negotiations with Legacy plc are commercially confidential while negotiations continue. If all goes well, we expect to exchange contracts during February. Progress will be reviewed regularly.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on local roads of the development and operation of a business park inside the Millennium Dome. [140184]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe evaluation criteria for the Dome legacy competition include that schemes should demonstrate minimum reliance on access by car and maximum use of public transport. The Legacy plc scheme conforms with this principle. The details will be addressed through the planning process, initially through consideration by the London Borough of Greenwich, who are familiar with the issues.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plan the Government have in the event of the failure of negotiations with Legacy plc to procure the Millennium Dome site. [140190]
§ Ms ArmstrongIn the event of the failure of negotiations with Legacy plc, the Government would pursue other possible uses of the Dome.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of commercial demand for a business park inside the Millennium Dome. [140185]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe evaluation criteria for the Dome legacy competition include the expectation that the winning scheme will be commercially and financially successful. Legacy plc has provided advice on likely commercial demand for a business park and a business plan related to this, which have been evaluated by the Government advisers. This evaluation is confidential. Further development of evidence of commercial demand will be important in conducting negotiations towards exchange of contracts.