§ 18. Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultation she has had with east London boroughs subsequent to the announcement of the proposed site of the millennium exhibition. [21909]
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Millennium Commission makes all decisions entirely independently of Government, and it is for the commission to determine the arrangements for a millennium exhibition. The commission has selected the ideas and concepts for an exhibition submitted by Imagination Group Ltd., and announced on 28 February its preference for the event to be located on the Greenwich peninsula site. It is for the commission to consult as it feels is necessary in order to determine whether to award a grant to a project.
The commission has stated that it will need to be fully satisfied as to the firm commitment of the private sector support and viability of the whole project before a final grant decision will be taken. Work is currently in progress to develop the proposals submitted, and this work may include consultation by the commission with the bodies that it feels are appropriate before taking its decision. Although much of the current work is focusing on the development of the business plan and commitment of finance, substantial other work is also under way, including a detailed traffic impact assessment, and consultation with boroughs adjacent to Greenwich that may be affected by the exhibition will most likely be needed at the appropriate point of work in progress.