§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) by what means the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system will emit air into the roof of the Millennium Dome; [48134]
(2) how visitors to the Millennium Dome will be notified of emissions from the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system; [48142]
361W(3) how the atmosphere within the Millennium Dome will be monitored for pollution levels; [48139]
(4) at what level of emission from the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system the warning system would be activated within the Millennium Dome; [48137]
(5) how emissions from the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system are released into the atmosphere; [48141]
(6) under what circumstances the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system will be activated; [48143]
(7) what plans there are for the evacuation of the Millennium Dome in the case of high levels of emission from the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system; [48140]
(8) by what means the Blackwall Tunnel ventilation system will be activated. [48133]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe Dome is entirely separate from the ventilation shaft and there is no prospect of pollutants transferring from one to the other. The ventilation fans draw air through the tunnel to ensure appropriate air quality levels in the tunnel. The fans increase in speed as pollutant levels in the tunnel reach pre-determined thresholds. During the Dome's construction, the increase in fan speeds is accompanied by a warning sound. This is simply to inform construction workers, who may be overhead, that the noise generated by the fans is about to change. Contingency plans and procedures are in place for emergency incidents arising in either the tunnel or the Dome.