§ Baroness Hanhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the explanation for the monthly increase in cost of maintaining the Millennium Dome from £251,000 in January to £287,000 in February. [HL4371]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe monthly cost of managing and maintaining the dome site fluctuates according to variations in regular outgoings and routine maintenance cycles. The monthly costs include rates, utilities, security and maintenance and English Partnerships' staff costs on management and maintenance of the dome.
The difference between the January and February figures is a result of such routine fluctuations and is mainly as a result of particular maintenance works that were required in February but not in January. It should be noted that costs rose from October (£229,000) to November 2001 (£275,000) but were lower between November 2001 and December 2001 (£266,000) and between December 2001 and January (£251,000) this year, all reflecting routine fluctuations.
All dome related costs incurred by English Partnerships will be recovered from eventual sale proceeds.
§ Baroness Hanhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the cost of the telephone calls made from the Millennium Dome during January and February 2002; by whom they were made; and for what purpose. [HL4373]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo calls were made from the dome itself during January and February apart from in relation to the Ministry of Sound event on New Year's Eve 2001, for which English Partnerships received full reimbursement of costs.
The bills for telephone services to the dome site have not yet been finalised in relation to January and February due to ongoing delays by the service provider, particularly in transferring accounts formerly held by the New Millennium Experience Company to English Partnerships.