§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 1998,Official Report, column 316, on the Millennium Experience, what incentives he offers to individuals, companies or other organisations to sponsor zones within the Millennium Dome which are not available to the New Millennium Experience Company; what is the minimum monetary commitment required of them; and when that has to be made available to the New Millennium Experience Company. [52176]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for all matters relating to sponsorship of the Millennium Experience. Its 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. There is no minimum monetary commitment required. The timing of when the sponsorship is made available is a matter for the Company and the individual sponsor.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister without Portfolio how much has now been committed by sponsors to the Millennium Experience; and how much of this is(a) in cash and (b) in kind. [51941]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has announced a total of £87 million and has commitment at Board level from other sponsors, whose own commercial considerations require that details remain unannounced at this stage. This takes the level of sponsorship secured to above £100 million. Whilst the detailed negotiations between the NMEC and the companies are concerned with progress towards contractual terms, it is not possible to state the split between cash and in kind.