HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc318-9W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) of 24 February 1998,Official Report, column 204, (a) what undertakings were given to the four founding partners in return for their agreement to be sponsors and (b) what further sponsors have been confirmed since 24 February. [37517]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 59. Further sponsors will be confirmed by the New Millennium Experience Company in due course.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what areas of the design of the large scale figure for the Millennium Experience have been finalised with particular reference to(a) its load bearing qualities, (b) emergency exits, (c) point of entry and (d) the provision of lavatory facilities. [31194]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) will ensure that thorough and detailed calculations are made of the load bearing capacity of the large scale figure in the Body Zone. Load bearing capacity, entry and exit points, ventilation and visitor flow requirements are being fully taken into account as the design develops. Lavatory facilities will be situated in core service areas throughout the Dome.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make the housing being built on and around the Millennium Experience site available initially for the accommodation of visitors to the Experience. [31351]

Mr. Mandelson

There are no plans to make the housing being built on the Greenwich peninsula available for those visiting the Millennium Experience. However, there will be a number of options for those visitors requiring accommodation. London First has been working to ensure that 10,000 extra beds will be available in London by 2000. There are a number of hotels within easy reach of the Millennium Experience and a bed-and-breakfast scheme is also being organised by Greenwich Council.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what consultations he has undertaken with(a) the Royal Society and (b) the British Academy on the content of the Millennium Experience. [34790]

Mr. Mandelson

No formal consultations have taken place with either body, though I am in regular touch with the Prime Minister's Chief Scientific Adviser on the content of the Experience.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has for the use of the Welsh language in the Millennium Dome. [35131]

Mr. Mandelson

There will be many opportunities to explore the rich diversity of the culture of all parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales, both within the Dome and through the UK wide Challenge programme of events and activities.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the role of(a) photography, (b) art, (c) popular music, (d) radio and (e) television in displays in the Millennium Experience. [35212]

Mr. Mandelson

The variety, scope and nature of the individual exhibits, and of the themes they will reflect, offer opportunities for a wide range of electronic, art and other media to play a role in the Millennium Experience.