§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date it was decided to proceed with the construction of the millennium dome; on what date 71WA the design was approved; and on what date manufacture of the components was begun, and where.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Cabinet decided to proceed with the New Millennium Experience on 19 June 1997 following a review of progress on the project. A planning application had been submitted to the local planning authority—the London Borough of Greenwich—in October 1996 for a package of proposals including the dome design. Outline planning permission was granted in January 1997 and final approval was granted on 20 June 1997.
A number of manufacturers are involved in the production of components for the dome. The first contracts were let in March 1997. Kellers of Coventry are responsible for piling work; Watsons for the fabrication and erection of dome steelwork involving workers at sites in Bolton, Bristol, and under subcontract in Doncaster; and Birdair of Buffalo, USA, are responsible for the supply of PTFE-coated glass-fibre, which will be assembled on site by a predominantly British workforce.