§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
When Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the sole shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company, first had knowledge of the findings of the report on projected visitor numbers to the Millennium Dome, prepared by Deloitte & Touche; and why those findings were rejected by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton. [HL3876]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The report by Deloitte & Touche indicated that 12 million visitors to the Millennium Experience was achievable and gave 8 million as a worst, case scenario. The report was made available to the Government during the course of the review of the project following the election—18 months before I became Shareholder. I did not see the report at that time.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the date of the deadline they have imposed upon Bourne Legacy by which all outstanding information regarding the financial details of the Company's offer to buy the site of the Millennium. Dome must be provided to them. [HL4234]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo deadline has been imposed upon Legacy plc. The competition team is currently analysing the Legacy proposal and an announcement will be made in due course.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Bourne Legacy have been provided with a clear prospectus listing the assets of the New Millennium Experience Company; and, if not, what are the plans to provide such a prospectus. [HL4236]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe proposal by Legacy plc, for a high technology industrial campus at the Greenwich site, requires a Dome that is virtually empty. Legacy plc has been in discussion with the New70WA Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) regarding the full details of assets that it might consider acquiring.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their plans for holding a new auction of the Millennium Dome and its surrounding land if the negotiations with Bourne Legacy fail. [HL4235]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Government are currently in discussions with Legacy plc. The Legacy proposal is currently being analysed by the competition team in advance of any decision on preferred bidder status. An announcement will be made in due course.
The Government asked English Partnerships to undertake a review of all options available for the Dome site. This is work in progress which remains commercially sensitive and confidential while discussions with Legacy plc are continuing. However, the Government are not soliciting offers nor are they in serious negotiation with any other party.
§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 9 October (WA 12), what are the options that have been put forward by English Partnerships to the Deputy Prime Minister for the future use of the Millennium Experience site. [HL4238]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonEnglish Partnerships were asked to undertake a review of all options available for the Dome site. This is work in progress which remains commercially sensitive and confidential while discussions with Legacy plc are continuing. However, the broad options include alternative uses for the Dome itself, and for the Dome site.