§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which schools in the Colchester constituency will be eligible to receive free tickets to visit the Millennium Dome; how many pupils in each school will be eligible; and what are the arrangements for the allocation of tickets. [106467]
§ Janet AndersonEvery school in the Colchester constituency is eligible to apply for up to 100 free tickets to the Dome under the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) Education Tour scheme. Up to 1,000,000 free tickets are available. The available free tickets are allocated over a series of ballots. The first ballot, for tickets available in February, March and April, took place in November 1999. The second ballot, for tickets available in May, June and July, will take place in February 2000. The third ballot, for tickets available in September, October and November, will take place in June 2000. The final ballot, for tickets available in December, will take place in September 2000. NMEC, through the Education and Learning Experience Managers in its 12 offices countrywide (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the North-East, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North-West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the East, the South-East, the South-West and London), and through the regional media will continue to ensure that all schools are fully aware of the free ticket scheme and of the education visit arrangements.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) which schools in the Chorley constituency will be eligible to receive free tickets to visit the Millennium Dome; [105039]
(2) how many pupils in each school in the Chorley constituency will be eligible for free tickets to visit the Millennium Dome. [105040]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 17 January 2000]: Every school in the Chorley constituency is eligible to apply for up to 100 free tickets to the Dome under the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) Education Tour scheme. Up to 1,000,000 free tickets are available. The available free tickets are allocated over a series of ballots. The first ballot, for tickets available in February, March and April, took place in November 1999. The second ballot, for tickets available in May, June and July, will take place in February 2000. The third ballot, for tickets available in September, October and November, will take place in June 2000. The final ballot, for tickets available in December, will take place in September 2000. Approximately 12 per cent. of all free tickets are available to schools in the North West region as this is the approximate proportion of the school population in that region. NMEC, through the Education and Learning Experience Managers in its 12 offices countrywide (Scotland, Wales, northern Ireland, the north-east, Yorkshire and Humberside, the north-west, the east Midlands, the west Midlands, the east, the south-east, the south-west and London), and through the regional media will continue to ensure that all schools are fully aware of the free ticket scheme and of the education visit arrangements.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provision is made for students with learning difficulties attending further 547W education establishments to be allocated free tickets to visit the Millennium Experience; and if he will make a statement. [108724]
§ Janet AndersonThe New Millennium Experience Company are not making free tickets for the Dome available to further education establishments. Free tickets are available to up to 1 million schoolchildren aged between eight and 16. Groups of students are charged £14.50 per head and student card holders wishing to make their own arrangements pay £16.50. NMEC is happy to discuss any special needs which particular visitors and groups might have—for example, special needs groups can bring an enabler with them free of charge and can use the on site car park, provided they are Orange Badge Holders and book beforehand. Hosts can be prepared to receive a particular group and ensure that its members are able to move through zones at their own pace, and buggies and wheelchairs can be arranged. All special needs requirements can be arranged on the Dome ticket line (0870 606 2000) when booking Dome tickets.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what travel assistance is being provided to schools in the Chorley constituency visiting the Dome. [105041]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 17 January 2000]: The costs attributable to the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) Education Tour scheme at the Dome, including administration of the scheme, the tickets themselves and the management costs of implementing it throughout the year, are being met by NMEC from the Millennium Experience project budget. It is, however, established practice with school trips for the schools to make arrangements for travel and subsistence themselves. NMEC provides all schools with details of travel companies who are offering packages specifically aimed at schools. Additionally, many schools are also well placed to negotiate favourable deals through their established relationships with local travel operators.