§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement in her capacity as Secretary of State on the role of public finance and management in the proposed London exhibition at Greenwich in 2000. [10766]
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 13 January 1997]: The exhibition at Greenwich will be a national exhibition, sited in London, forming the focal point of a national festival which will last throughout the year 2000. It will be funded by a combination of a national lottery grant from the Millennium Commission, private sector sponsorship and revenue generated by the exhibition itself.
The precise structure of the operating company which will run the exhibition is being finalised but the commission will, through the terms and conditions of grant, ensure that the operating company delivers a superb exhibition which represents value for money. Expenditure of grant from the Millennium Commission is subject to the financial directions which I have issued to it.