HC Deb 05 February 1996 vol 271 cc94-6W
21. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many projects in Wales have been, or are being, considered by the Millennium Commission. [11778]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

In the first round of the competition, the commission received 31 full applications for grant for millennium schemes in Wales including three umbrella projects that incorporate projects in Wales. Of these, 10 projects have been awarded grants totalling £35 million, one is under negotiation and one has been granted an extended deadline to submit further information for consideration in February.

In the second application round the commission has received 71 outline proposals from organisations in Wales. The closing date for full applications is 12 February.

24. Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to(a) receive a further edition of proposals from Imagination Group Ltd. concerning the forthcoming millennium exhibition in London, (b)make those proposals and any further decisions public and (c) publish the terms and conditions of any agreement or contract with that company. [11782]

Mrs. Bottomley

The Millennium Commission expects to receive in the next few days the result of additional work undertaken at its request by Imagination Group Ltd. so that the commission can make a decision regarding the two potential sites for the national exhibition, Greenwich and the national exhibition centre. It is hoped that an announcement will be made within the next few weeks. Terms and conditions of any contract would not be negotiated in detail until mid-1996.

The Millennium Commission makes all funding decisions entirely independently of Government, and conditions of contract relating to grants are a matter for the commission.

25. Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans have been made to celebrate the millennium. [11783]

Mrs. Bottomley

Twenty per cent. of the net proceeds from the national lottery is distributed by the Millennium Commission to projects which celebrate the year 2000 and the beginning of the new millennium. To date, £336 million has been committed to 303 awards, including four landmark projects. The commission will soon announce details of the site for a year-long exhibition, to be held throughout the year 2000, as part of the UK-wide millennium festival.