§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to promote efficient use of power within the Millennium Dome. [54465]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Dome structure was conceived and developed as an energy and resource-efficient means of housing a range of exhibits and attractions appropriate to the conditions of the Greenwich peninsular site. The Dome does not provide a conventionally controlled environment; it is not air conditioned, and heating and cooling provisions have been minimised to reflect the fact that visitors will be wearing clothing appropriate to "outdoor" conditions. In addition, the translucency of the Dome cladding material allows the interior to be naturally lit for much of the year. It is inevitable that operating a large-scale visitor attraction requires a significant quantity of power, but the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) will seek to minimise this requirement where it is practical to do so.
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