HL Deb 29 November 1999 vol 607 cc30-2WA
Lord Norton of Louth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why, for official purposes, the start of the twenty-first century is being celebrated ninety-nine years after the start of the twentieth century was celebrated. [HL50]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The Millennium Commission was established in 1994, under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, with a remit to assist communities both to mark the year 2000 and to celebrate the start of the third Millennium. The Government have always recognised that the new Millennium starts on 1 January 2001, but many people wish to celebrate during the year 2000, and the Commission has responded to this by funding projects throughout 2000 and into the new Millennium.