HC Deb 27 October 1998 vol 318 cc129-31W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the sponsors who are committed by written agreements to supporting the Millennium Experience, indicating in each case(a) the zones or activities concerned, (b) the amount of sponsorship and (c) the penalty laid down for non-performance of the agreement. [55678]

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the total sponsorship guaranteed unconditionally to each zone of the Millennium Experience under written agreement, indicating the companies or organisations concerned, the zone they have agreed to sponsor and the value of the sponsorship. [56681]

Mr. Mandelson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has announced that the following companies have committed sponsorship to zones of the Dome and national programme strands at Board level:

Zone National programme Sponsor
Learn Tesco Schoolnet 2000 Tesco
Work UK Skills 2000 Manpower
Communicate FutureTalk BT
National Identity (part sponsor) Children's Promise/ Voices of Promise Marks & Spencer

Additionally BSkyB are sponsoring Babydome and both they and the sponsors listed above are Official Sponsors giving a sponsorship value of £12m each to the Millennium Experience project. Other sponsors announced and committed at Board level are: the Corporation of London; BA; BAA; GEC; BAe; Camelot; and Thames Water. The total commitment across the Official and other sponsors, already announced, is just over £100m. A further £60m of sponsorship is the subject of detailed negotiation. In addition, discussions between the NMEC and many other companies about further sponsorship opportunities are underway.

The normal process of full and final negotiations between the NMEC and the committed sponsors is progressing. The scope and nature of each contract will differ according to a number of factors—including the zone, the associated national programme, and the value and type of sponsorship. To reveal details of individual aspects of the contracts under discussion with the individual sponsors would run contrary to the strict confidentiality the sponsors have sought and would harm the NMEC's negotiating position on sponsorship generally.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings he has attended in the course of his official duties at which there has been discussion of sponsorship of the Millennium Experience; how many of these meetings included lobbying organisations; and what contribution he made to these discussions. [55688]

Mr. Mandelson

I have not attended any meetings in the course of my official duties as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at which sponsorship of the Millennium Experience was discussed. The New Millennium Experience Company are responsible for procuring sponsorship for the new project and they keep me regularly informed of progress.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what performance targets regarding(a) time and (b) budget have been set for the delivery of the Millennium Experience; and what penalties will be incurred by directors, executives, and employees of the New Millennium Experience Company in the event of failure to meet those targets. [55687]

Mr. Mandelson

The two overriding time and budget targets are: that the Millennium Dome is completely ready for opening by 31 December 1999; and that the entire project (including the Dome and the national programme of events and activities) is delivered within the £758 million budget. More detailed targets across the different programmes of the project are agreed between the New Millennium Experience Company and the Millennium Commission as part of the planning process. The Company published their Corporate Plan for 1997–98 to 2000–01 in early August, copies of which were placed in the Libraries of the House. The consequences for individuals of failure to meet targets is a matter for the NMEC and its Board.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the sponsorship of the Spirit Zone of the Millennium Experience. [55679]

Mr. Mandelson

The Millennium Experience project overall is progressing well, and that includes the Spirit Zone. The development of the zone design and storyline is on track and being taken forward in full consultation with the Lambeth Group. Positive discussions with a number of potential sponsors are also underway.