HC Deb 19 November 1998 vol 319 cc886-8W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on the rights Which have been acquired by sponsors of the Millennium Experience over the names and contents of its zones and facilities; [60318]

(2) if he will publish details of sponsorship agreements between the New Millennium Experience Company and BSkyB. [60320]

Mr. Mandelson

Contractual arrangements between the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and individual sponsors are currently under discussion. These discussions are commercially confidential. To reveal details of these contracts at this stage would damage the NMEC's negotiating position with potential sponsors and contractors.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the ticketing arrangements and charges for events in the theatre/cinema complex on the Millennium site. [60319]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for ticketing arrangements across the whole Millennium Experience project—including charges. Ticketing arrangements will be finalised in line with the NMEC's timetable as set out in their Corporate Plan for 1997/98–2000/01, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions he has been present during discussion of sponsorship by BSkyB of the Millennium Experience. [60321]

Mr. Mandelson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell),Official Report, 27 October 1998, columns 130.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if information about the euro will be included in the Transaction Zone of the Millennium Experience. [60087]

Mr. Mandelson

Development of the detailed content of the Transaction Zone is progressing to timetable. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is currently considering with the zone's designers a range of issues, including how information about different currencies might best be presented.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the agreements that the Millennium Experience Company has entered into with foreign financial backers which will exclude the display of examples of British culture and industry in the Millennium Dome. [60754]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has entered into no such agreements.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the guidelines used by the Millennium Experience Company in determining(a) approaches to potential financial backers of the Millennium Dome displays, (b) acceptance of financial backing for the Millennium Dome displays, (c) the relevance of proposed displays put forward by potential financial backers to British culture and industry and (d) preferences among proposals from potential financial backers which promote exclusively British culture and industry; [60747]

(2) what proposals the Millennium Experience Company has to ensure that private sector financial backing does not mitigate against the Millennium Dome being a showcase for British culture and industry. [60755]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the Millennium Experience as the focus for the nation's millennium celebrations. To achieve that the NMEC, in its discussions with private sponsors, retains the overall control of the contents of the exhibit zones within the Millennium Dome.

I am confident that the Millennium Experience will be a symbol of British confidence; a beacon for British creativity; and a fantastic day out for all who visit.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what instructions he has given to the Millennium Experience Company on exclusive franchising arrangements with private sector financial backers that would prevent the display of examples of British culture and industry. [60753]

Mr. Mandelson

I have given no such instructions.