HC Deb 27 July 1998 vol 317 c84W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what changes he has made to plans for the @ Now Zone since May 1997. [48826]

Mr. Mandelson

Plans for all the exhibit zones within the Millennium Experience are a matter for the New Millennium Experience Company. The exhibits are the subject of ongoing development as part of an interactive creative process to ensure that come 31 December 1999 and throughout the year 2000, the Experience will excite, entertain and educate in a way which will be the envy of the world.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the body deciding the contents of the @ Now Zone includes representatives from the Yorkshire and Humberside Region. [48831]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for deciding the content of all zones in close liaison with other relevant parties, including sponsors. The Company aims to ensure that views from across the country inform the development of the UK @ Now Zone.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio who will provide the exhibits and plan the theme of the @ Now Zone. [48823]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for the delivery of each zone and has editorial control over the content, story line and theme of each exhibit, including the UK @ Now Zone.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the @ Now Zone will include exhibits relating to regional cultural identities. [48832]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company is currently considering the nature and scope of the exhibits within the UK @ Now Zone. Regional cultural identity is one of the many issues which the Company, with the sponsors and other relevant groups, will address in taking forward the development of the zone.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if sponsors in the @ Now Zone will be exclusively British. [48824]

Mr. Mandelson

It is likely that the sponsors will be British based companies. As already announced, Marks and Spencer are part sponsoring this zone.