HC Deb 17 July 1997 vol 298 cc324-7W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what representations he has received about the commission to be paid to Mr. Mark McCormack in connection with the Millennium Experience. [6464]

Mr. Mandelson

I have received a number of representations following reports in the press that International Management Group's commission for raising sponsorship of £150 million would be in the order of £27 to £30 million. In fact, if IMG reach the target set by the New Millennium Experience Company, they will receive in the order of £9 million, a substantial discount on their normal commission.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what estimate he has made of the cost of tickets for the Millennium Experience. [6467]

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much visitors will be charged to attend the Greenwich Exhibition. [8022]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company have advised that it is too early to produce a detailed ticketing structure for an event taking place in the year 2000. However, they have clearly stated that the price will be competitive in relation to other comparable attractions.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will set out the remit and the salary and bonuses package of the right hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) with regard to the promotion of the Millennium Dome project. [6128]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: The right hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) is a member of the Millennium Commission. None of the Commissioners received remuneration for their position, other than out-of-pocket expenses.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many staff are involved in the Millennium Dome project; and what are the (i) designation and (ii) salary and bonuses of the principal staff involved in the project. [6131]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: The New Millennium Experience Company—the operating company for the Millennium Experience at Greenwich—currently has 40 staff, ranging from the Chief Executive through to IT and administrative staff. The details of senior staff remuneration packages will be published in the accounts of the New Millennium Experience Company in the usual way.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) what is the total budget for the Greenwich Exhibition; [8023]

(2) how much of the Greenwich Exhibition's budget will be financed through national lottery money; how much will be raised through corporate sponsorship; and how much will be generated through ticket sales. [8024]

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what estimate he has made of the commission to be paid to Mr. Mark McCormack in connection with the Millennium Experience. [6465]

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what estimate he has made of the total cost of Millennium Experience; and if he will indicate the sources from which the money is to be raised. [6475]

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if payments to Mark McCormack in respect of the Millennium Experience will be in ratio to the amount of sponsorship raised if this sum fails to reach £150 million. [6904]

Mr. Mandelson

I refer my hon. Friend, the right hon. Member and hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) today.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the maximum amount of public money not including that from national lottery sources that will be deployed on the Millennium Experience. [6899]

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much public money the Government intends to spend on the Millennium Exhibition at Greenwich. [8031]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: The only taxpayers' money to be spent on the Millennium Experience is that which is already committed to English Partnerships to prepare the site. The total budget to prepare the site is £130 million. All other public support will come from the Lottery.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what advice he has sought from the London Fire Brigade in respect of the materials identified for construction of the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement. [6905]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 7 July 1997/: The New Millennium Experience Company Ltd. have worked closely with the London Fire Brigade to ensure that the design and construction of the Dome is safe and they will continue to do so. The first priority of all those involved in the Millennium Experience must be to ensure public safety.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much money Lord Rogers is being paid for his work on the dome at Greenwich. [8033]

Mr. Mandelson

This is commercially confidential information. The New Millennium Experience Company will publish full accounts in due course.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what companies are planning to stage displays in the dome at Greenwich. [8025]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience at Greenwich will not be a trade show. Sponsorship arrangements will be announced in due course.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many jobs will be created in the course of building the dome at Greenwich. [8029]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience is expected to create 2,000 new jobs during the construction, and a further 5,000 during the life of the project.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much money the Millennium Commission needs to raise from the private sector to help stage the exhibition at Greenwich. [8030]

Mr. Mandelson

This is the responsibility of the New Millennium Experience Company. NMEC aims to raise £175 million from the private sector in sponsorship.

Mr. Nicholls

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much public money to date has been spent on the Millennium exhibition at Greenwich. [8044]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 14 July 1997]: The only taxpayers' money to be spent on the project is that which is already committed to English Partnerships to prepare the site for regeneration. To date £44 million has been spent on the site.

Mr. Nicholls

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the demonstrations and displays that will be held inside the dome at Greenwich. [8045]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 14 July 1997]: It is our aim to make the contents of the Dome a truly exciting experience, appealing to all sections of the UK population as well as to visitors from overseas. The New Millennium Experience Company—the operating company for the Greenwich project—is putting together a first class creative team. Their ideas will crystallise over the coming months.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister without Portfolio when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Hertsmere of 2 July, relating to the Millennium Experience. [9017]

Mr. Mandelson

I have replied to three of the hon. Member's questions today. The one question still outstanding will be answered as soon as possible.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister without Portfolio who the shareholders are in the company established in respect of the Millennium Experience. [9311]

Mr. Mandelson

I am sole shareholder in the New Millennium Experience Company.