§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines determine the prominence or otherwise of sponsors branding within the Millennium Dome. [99319]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 24 November 1999]: On 17 December 1998, my right hon. Friend the then Minister without Portfolio placed in the House Libraries the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) "Outline Approach to Official Sponsors of the Dome". This document made clear that the NMEC at all times retains the ultimate right of control over the design, content and format of the exhibit zones in order to protect and maintain the integrity of the Millennium Experience and the company. This underpins NMEC's approach to sponsor branding and to the branding guidelines adopted and applied by NMEC. I have placed in the Libraries today a copy of NMEC's summary pamphlet "Sponsor Identity and branding related to zones" as an example of the company's approach.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sponsors of the Millennium Dome have yet to sign binding contracts in respect of their announced sponsorship. [99339]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 1 December 1999]: Final contractual documents for seven of the Millennium Experience's announced sponsors await signature. All issues of substance have been resolved and, subject to completion of formalities, the New Millennium Experience Company expects the documentation to be signed over the next couple of weeks. All remain fully committed at Board level. The sponsors concerned are BSkyB, which is a particularly complex agreement covering their sponsorship of Skyscape and a wide range of broadcast issues; Boots; Manpower; the Corporation of London (who as an indication of their commitment have made an advance payment of their sponsorship); Coca Cola; Mars Confectionary; and Thames Water.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent to date on promoting the sale of the Millennium Dome to potential purchasers; and what form these promotions are taking. [101617]
132W
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 7 December 1999]: The competition to find a sustainable use for the Dome beyond the Millennium Experience is being managed on behalf of the Government by English Partnerships, the urban regeneration agency for England, in co-operation with the New Millennium Experience Company. Total spend to date on all aspects of the competition is £474,000. Promotion has taken the form of initial advertising; detailed information for potential bidders; and the public display of outline proposals.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many overseas visitors his Department estimates will visit Britain in 2000 for the main purpose of visiting the Millennium Dome; [101626]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the number of overseas visitors who will visit the Millennium Dome in 2000. [101643]
§ Janet AndersonThe British Tourist Authority (BTA) has estimated the number of overseas visits to the UK in 2000 as 27.5 million. Of these NMEC foresee that 2.5 million will visit the Dome. The BTA has also suggested that as a direct result of the Millennium Experience an additional £300 million to £500 million of overseas tourist revenue will be brought into the UK economy. The "halo" effect could double this figure. The BTA have further estimated that 15,000–30,000 new tourism related jobs will be created.