§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which accountants have been paid fees by the New Millennium Experience Company; and for what purpose. [124385]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 5 June 2000]The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has paid fees to four firms of accountants.
Deloitte & Touche—tax advice.Ernst & Young—external audit; accounting advice; provision of interim management of staff; and IT consultancy.priceWaterhouseCoopers—tax advice; IT consultancy; internal audit; and financial planning.Arthur Anderson—internal audit.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the resignation of the Chairman of the New Millennium Experience Company. [124483]
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§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 5 June 2000]Robert Ayling decided to resign as Chairman of the New Millennium Experience Company on 23 May. His decision was made in the best interests of the Dome. He served the Dome as Chairman for three years and his decision to step down was in keeping with the fact that he has always put the good of the project first. I would like to pay tribute to Robert Ayling for his contribution to the Millennium Experience.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if the(a) contingency draw down, (b) £60 million cash flow facility and (c) £29 million additional cash flow facility made available to the New Millennium Experience Company will be repaid; [125023]
(2) which Millennium Commission projects have received funding additional to their original grants; for what purposes; and to what value in each case. [125024]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 8 June 2000]These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.