§ Lord Lukeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total amount paid in consultancy fees to Henry Butcher plc subsequent to the auction of the goods associated with the Millennium Dome site at Greenwich. [HL2004]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonI refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave to the noble Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 16 March 2001 (WA 117).
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which professional experts have been instructed to undertake market testing in relation to the sale of the Millennium Dome site; who has instructed them; and by what date they have been instructed to report. [HL2120]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonAn independent professional team led and managed by English Partnerships is providing advice to the Government in relation to the sale and the market testing of the Millennium Dome site. This advisory team, which includes Jones Lang LaSalle, Berwin Leighton and Economic Research Associates, expects to take serveral weeks to complete the currently ongoing market testing.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 26 April (WA 232), whether they will list the benefits which are expected to arise from retaining the Dome structure.[HL2121]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonLike many others, including the London Borough of Greenwich, the Government are committed to the Dome staying in Greenwich. It is an important landmark on the London skyline which has hastened the regeneration of Greenwich peninsula and more widely and has added to the quality and variety of world-famous structures that were already so prominent in the area. Delivering a successful future for the Dome will build on this, ensuring continued recognition world-wide and enabling the regeneration momentum that has been established to continue.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 23 April (WA 189), whether they will publish the advice as to best value for money they have received from officials and outside professional advisers. [HL2122]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonGiven that the process for finding an appropriate use of the Dome is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish such information, which is commercially confidential.
242WA
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much cost, in addition to the cost of maintaining the Dome, is being incurred by the New Millennium Experience Company Limited each month. [HL2124]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonIn addition to the cost of maintaining the Dome, the New Millennium Experience Company forecasts that, from I May 2001 to 31 December 2001, average expenditure of approximately £0.75 million per month will be incurred across the functions necessary to ensure orderly wind-down and exit. These functions include:
Closing-out, and mitigating any remaining potential liabilities of over 1,350 legal contracts entered into during the lifetime of the project;
Closing out and finalising all aspects of the company's financial affairs;
Arranging all aspects of the hand-over of the site to English Partnerships on expiry of the lease by 1 July 2001 and dealing with any ongoing hand-over issues;
Deal with ongoing public accountability requirements and responsibilities including Parliamentary Questions, National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee interest;
Supporting the board and its committees;
Appointing and liaising with a Liquidator.
The above forecast expenditure excludes any provisions for major, one-off costs that may occur but that NMEC is confident could be met from the existing National Lottery grant allocation.
§ Baroness Noakes,asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect the liquidation of the New Millennium Experience Company Limited to commence. [HL2125]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonCurrent expectations are that the liquidator will be appointed by the end of the year.