HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc773-4W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the standard terms and conditions of a corporate sponsorship agreement with the New Millennium Experience Company Limited. [54398]

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 82, if he will list the range of benefits offered to sponsors by the NMEC. [54578]

Mr. Mandelson

The uniqueness of the Millennium Experience has required the New Millennium Experience company (NMEC) to develop policies, strategies, and standards across many aspects of the project for which there are no templates, precedents, or off-the-shelf solutions. This has applied to the sponsorship arrangements in particular. The Company's strategy is to deliver its testing sponsorship target through a range of sponsorship categories, each with terms and conditions and benefits commensurate with the level of sponsorship involved. During the first phase the Company has concentrated on the Founding Partner category at a sponsorship value of at least £12 million. The standard terms, conditions, and benefits applying to each category of sponsorship are being documented formally, and I will ensure that copies are placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are completed.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what inducements are offered to companies to sponsor zones in the Millennium Experience; and what advertising is permitted in these zones; [51275]

(2) what rules will govern the promotion by firms sponsoring zones in the Millennium Dome of themselves and their products and services in the zones sponsored; [52524]

(3) what advertising by commercial sponsors is to be allowed in the Millennium Experience brochures. [52525]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) retains overall editorial control of all exhibit zones and other features within the Millennium Experience Dome. This enables the company to protect the integrity of the Experience as the focus for the nation's Millennium celebrations and to protect its educational, inspirational and enjoyment values. There are no "inducements" offered to companies to sponsor exhibit zones; each company takes its own commercial decision as to the benefits of being involved and associated with this unique, once-in-lifetime project. The broad terms, conditions and benefits applying to the different categories of sponsorship are being formally documented by the NMEC and copies will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are completed.