§ Lord Lukeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many tickets granting free admission to the Millennium Dome have been allocated during the year 2000 for use by (a) sponsors and (b) VIPs; and [HL1015]
How many tickets granting free admission to the Millennium Dome have been used between 31 December 1999 and 31 January 2000 by (a) sponsors and (b) VIPs. [HL1016]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)No free tickets are provided to sponsors. Tickets available to sponsors are part of the sponsorship contractual terms and are an integral part of the benefits sponsors receive in recognition of their financial support for the project. These arrangements are standard for sponsorships of major events. The number of tickets available to sponsors under these arrangements vary according to the level of contribution made by each sponsor. Since they are part and parcel of the sponsorship contract, details are commercially confidential under the confidentiality clauses applicable to both parties.
No VIPs automatically gain free entry to the Dome. The policy of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is that, where there is a benefit to the business or a relevance to NMEC's public accountability remit, guests (whether VIPs or not) invited to the Dome can attend on a non-paying basis. Additionally, because the Dome has such a high profile as the centrepiece of the UK's Millennium 35WA celebrations, many VIPs on official or State visits, often request that the Dome be included on their itinerary. In most cases, the host body of the group visiting reimburses NMEC.