HC Deb 13 December 2001 vol 376 cc1017-9W
Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will state, on a monthly basis, from the date for which the most recent figures are available until December 2002, the(a) amount and (b) nature of any debts likely to be incurred by the Millennium Dome if by that time no arrangements have been made and put into effect for its lease or sale. [21211]

Ms Keeble

After assuming the ownership of the Dome from the New Millennium Experience Company, on 1 July 2001, English Partnerships has not incurred any debts and is not expecting to do so in future. However, it has been incurring costs in relation to the Dome, as reported to both Houses recently. All such costs are to be recovered from eventual sale proceeds.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish a full prospectus of sale for the Dome site; and if housing built on the Dome site will meet the Government's 10-year target for house building on brownfield sites in London. [22760]

Ms Keeble

At present, we do not intend to publish a prospectus of sale for the Dome site, given the continuation of market testing. As previously stated, and on the basis of professional advice, we are in discussion with a small number of serious contenders. Information on the Dome and associated land is made available to interested parties as necessary, in the course of confidential discussions.

The building of houses on the Dome site is not proposed.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many staff English Partnerships will have on duty at the Ministry of Sound's new year's eve party at the Millennium Dome, broken down by the nature and purpose of their duty; [22861]

(2) how many staff from the emergency services will be on duty at the Ministry of Sound's new year's eve party at the Millennium Dome; [22862]

Ms Keeble

Arrangements with the emergency services are a matter for the Ministry of Sound and the relevant services and authorities. I understand that discussions are on-going.

English Partnerships—as owner of the site—will have seven personnel on duty to supervise the Ministry of Sound's operations, including English Partnership's security in relation to those parts of the peninsula which will not be Ministry of Sound's responsibility. But prime responsibility for organisation of all aspects of the night's activities lies contractually with the Ministry of Sound.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 2001,Official Report, column 448W, on the Millennium Dome, for what reason the three holes in the internal lining of the roof of the Millennium Dome do not need repair; and if he will make a statement. [22798]

Ms Keeble

It is understood that the holes to the internal lining of the two skin roof were created during the construction and fitting out period for the Dome, and during the operational year of the Dome. These do not need repairing at present as they do not affect the operation and effectiveness of the roof and the inner lining.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff of English Partnerships are working(a) full time and (b) part time on the (i) sale, (ii) leasing and (iii) maintenance of the Millennium Dome. [22853]

Ms Keeble

The numbers of staff directly employed by English Partnerships in relation to the Dome are:

Full-time Part-time
Sale 1 8
Leasing 0 4
Maintenance 4 8

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff were employed at the Millennium Dome in each month of this year, indicating for each member of staff(a) the length of their contract and (b) their responsibilities. [22854]

Ms Keeble

The information is not available centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information is given to those people and undertakings who have expressed an interest in(a) bidding for and (b) leasing the Millennium Dome; and if he will place a copy of this information in the Library. [22859]

Ms Keeble

The information supplied has varied depending upon the nature of the inquiry.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Ministry of Sound's period of hire of the Millennium Dome for their New Year's Eve party will(a) start and (b) finish; and if he will make a statement. [22860]

Ms Keeble

The Ministry of Sound commences setting up for the event on 17 December 2001, and has planning consent for the event to run from 7.00 pm on 31 December 2001 until 9.00 am on 1 January 2002. They are due to have removed all their equipment by 9 January 2002.