Millennium Dome (Hansard, 11 November 1997)

§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) if he will provide details of the estimated total fees payable to(a) the Richard Rogers Partnership and (b) M and C Saatchi in relation to the millennium dome project; [12999]
(2) what is the estimated quantum of financial payment due to Kock Hightec by or on behalf of New Millennium Experience Company in relation to the millennium dome exhibition; [12995]
(3) if he will list the terms and conditions of contract between the New Millennium Experience Company and Koch Hightec regarding (a) termination and (b) breach of contract. [12996]

§ Mr. Mandelson
The information sought is commercial in confidence and falls within that category of exemptions provided for in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (which applies equally to the Government's non-departmental public bodies and agencies). I consider that disclosure could harm the competitive position of the companies concerned and could be disadvantageous to the New Millennium Experience Company in any future competitions for contracts where the equipment, goods or services sought might be similar, in any way, to those covered by the contracts referred to.

§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister without Portfolio on whose behalf he holds the single share in New Millennium Experience Company. [12994]

§ Mr. Mandelson
I hold the sole share of the New Millennium Experience Company Ltd. on behalf of the Government.

§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) when the New Millennium Experience Company will publish its next set of accounts; [13001]
(2) when the New Millennium Experience Company will place interim company accounts in the Library. [13002]

§ Mr. Mandelson
The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), then named Millennium Central Limited, became operative on 12 February 1997 when its first Board meeting was held. On the same date the shares of the company were transferred to the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the company became subject to the normal controls applied by the Government to non-departmental public bodies (NDPB). The NMEC is required to produce its first Accounts and Annual Report for the period 12 February 1997 to 31 March 1998 and to submit them to the Shareholder by 30 September 1998. In line with policy applying to all NDPBs, the NMEC's Accounts and Annual Report will be published and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
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§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) if he will set out the tendering procedures which applied to the appointment of Birdair as contractors for the millennium dome project; [12997]
(2) if he will set out the tendering procedures which applied to the appointment of M and C Saatchi as contractors for the millennium dome project. [13000]

§ Mr. Mandelson
The procedures applied to the Birdair and to the M & C Saatchi contracts were those which the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is required to adopt for the procurement of all contracts for equipment, goods or services and which apply to all non-departmental public bodies. The NMEC must seek to obtain the best value for money, and must award contracts on a competitive basis unless it can show in a particular case that it can achieve better value for money by not doing so, or there are other compelling reasons for not doing so. The NMEC must also comply with European Community Directives governing tendering and contractual procedures and with any additional guidance that the Shareholder, or the Millennium Commission under the terms of its grant, may issue.