HC Deb 08 March 1999 vol 327 cc18-9W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of British Airways; what was discussed; what help his Department is receiving from British Airways and if British Airways is financially sponsoring initiatives run by his Department or its agencies. [72810]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 24 February 1999]: I have no formal meetings with representatives of British Airways in that capacity. From time to time, however, both as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and as Chairman of the Millennium Commission, I have met Bob Ayling, the Chief Executive of British Airways, in his capacity as Chairman of the New Millennium Experience Company.

Neither my Department nor The Royal Parks Agency is receiving any help or financial sponsorship from British Airways. However, British Airways has for some years been providing financial sponsorship for the Art for Architecture scheme, for which my Department is the core-funder.