HC Deb 26 February 1999 vol 326 cc475-6W
Mr. McWalter

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the NMEC has to offer concessionary tickets to the Millennium Experience to families on means-tested benefits. [69672]

Janet Anderson

The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) ticketing strategy and pricing structure aims to ensure that as many people as possible who wish to visit the Dome will be able to do so. The structure will include a range of group, family, student and other discounts. In addition, the company is working closely with the travel trade to ensure that attractive packages combining travel and Dome entry are available. In drawing up its pricing structure and discount categories the Company has been informed by the experience and systems of other major visitor attractions both in the public and private sectors. Concessionary tickets for families on means-tested benefits is not standard practice and would be particularly difficult to introduce in a way

Percentage
English Sports Council Actual 1997–98 Est. 1998–99 Prov. 1999–2000 Prov. 2000–01 Prov. 2001–02
Regional Development and Field Staff 12 13 13 13 13
National Development and Field Staff 4 4 5 5 5
Public Information/Communication/Research 2 2 2 2 2
Corporate services (Finance/IT/Audit/Human Resources/Office Services) 5 6 6 6 6
Total Staff Costs 24 25 26 26 26
Administrative Expenses 6 11 9 9 9
Rent/Rates/Running Costs
Publicity/Promotion/Communications 4 4 3 3 3
Communications Programme
Grants to National Governing Bodies 19 17 19 19 19
Complementing Grant in Aid provided by UKSC
Grants to National Coaching Foundation 5 5 4 4 4
Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC
Sports Science/Sports Medicine 2 1 2 2 2
Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC
Sports Medicine
that would prevent abuse. The NMEC does not therefore propose to introduce such concessions. The Government, and the Millennium Commission, have endorsed this approach.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made for(a) branded restaurants and (b) other catering facilities at the Dome. [67267]

Janet Anderson

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced on 18 December agreement with Granada Food Services Ltd., and Letheby Christopher for the provision, respectively of public service catering and hospitality catering. On 26 January the NMEC announced contracts for ten branded catering outlets at the Dome. Contracts for the remaining catering outlets will be announced shortly. The process prior to the appointment of these caterers involved the company in discussions with about one hundred potential caterers; the issue of thirty-one invitations to tender; and interviews with and presentations from sixteen companies in support of their tenders.