§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister without Portfolio what evaluation was made of the option of using an air-conditioning system for the Millennium Dome powered by hydrocarbons. [35928]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 24 March 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) received no bids proposing the use of hydrocarbons during the 184W procurement process for air chiller units. Subsequent inquiries made by the NMEC suggested that suppliers were reluctant to offer a hydrocarbon system for a project of the scale and nature of the Dome. I also understand from the NMEC that hydrocarbons would require additional and more complex precautions to ensure optimum safety in a project the size of the Dome.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the sponsorship secured by contract for the Millennium Dome by 18 March giving in each case(a) the company or individual, (b) the amount and (c) details of undertakings given to sponsors in return for their sponsorship. [35931]
§ Mr. MandelsonI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Ms Cooper) on 24 February 1998,Official Report, column 204. Negotiations on the contractual details are continuing in each case.