§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many different accounting systems have been operated by the New Millennium Experience Company. [135412]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 30 October 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that it has operated one accounting system—SUN Accounting.
625W
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value is of professional fees paid, or contracted to be paid, by the New Millennium Experience Company for(a) accountancy and (b) legal advice since 1 January. [134596]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 26 October 2000]: On accountancy fees paid, I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 26 October, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that total payments to legal firms between 1 January 2000 and 30 September 2000 were £674,070. The firms who undertook work for the NMEC during this period were Simmons and Simmons, Eversheds, Norton Rose, Masons, Bird and Bird, Fenwick Elliot and Harbottles. Payments to legal firms over the six months from 30 September are estimated at up to £1.5 million. The higher costs for these six months reflect the legal requirements involved in the necessary contractual reviews to ensure that all actual and contingent liabilities are identified and all benefits to the company are crystallised. In addition to the firms noted above, Berwin Leighton are supporting and advising the Executive Chairman and the new management team on close-out, contract review and legacy issues.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the principal creditors of the New Millennium Experience Company. [134615]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 26 October 2000]: I am informed by NMEC that as at 24 November 2000, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) had six suppliers with agreed ledger balances above £100,000. In all cases the payment is either not yet due, or is being made debt in accordance with an agreed payment plan. The six are BT plc, London Borough of Greenwich, Inland Revenue, Contributions Agency, Ash Corporate Finance (Stratford Park and Ride site), and Edwin Shirley Staging. There are six other suppliers claiming amounts from NMEC in excess of £100,000 but in these cases contract finalisation has not yet been completed and, consequently, ledger balances have not been agreed.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what issues delayed the payment by Tesco to the New Millennium Experience Company of the £500,000 due for payment on 1 March; and if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence between Tesco and NMEC relating to this matter. [135737]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 31 October 2000]: The principal reason for the delay was Tesco's concern to have certainty that the Millennium Experience at the Dome would run until 31 December 2000. Following the Millennium Commission's award of an additional £47 million National Lottery grant in September, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) was able to provide the level of comfort sought by Tesco on the project's closure date. All sponsorship money owed by 626W Tesco was paid to NMEC on 30 October. NMEC considers that the correspondence between the two parties on this matter is commercially confidential.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when NMEC was first requested by the Dome chief executive to undertake a detailed examination of the finances of the Millennium Dome; and when this was(a) begun and (b) completed. [139035]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 20 November 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has regularly reviewed its financial position since its inception. Immediately after PY Gerbeau's arrival on 7 February 2000, he instituted a full internal review of the Millennium Experience project budget and finances. This comprehensive review was completed in early April. The NMEC board subsequently commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to undertake a wider review of the company's finances, including closure costs. This review was completed on 22 August.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the board of the New Millennium Experience Company has met since 1 January, indicating in each case the length of the meeting. [139036]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 20 November 2000]: The board of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has met 19 times between 1 January 2000 and 21 November 2000. The individual meeting dates and the duration of those meetings was as follows:
Date Duration 18 January 2 hours, 45 minutes 31 January 1 hour, 35 minutes 24 February 2 hours, 30 minutes 21 March 3 hours 18 April 2 hours, 45 minutes 2 May 1 hour, 30 minutes 18 May 2 hours, 30 minutes 23 May 1 hour, 30 minutes 20 June 3 hours, 30 minutes 5 July 3 hours, 45 minutes 14 July 3 hours 1 August 3 hours, 30 minutes 7 August 3 hours 22 August 4 hours, 30 minutes 5 September 2 hours 12 September 1 hour 21 September 3 hours, 30 minutes 19 October 3 hours, 45 minutes 21 November 2 hours, 30 minutes