§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the basis was for commencing a hard strip of the Dome. [3101]
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§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 9 July 2001]: The hard strip was suspended while market testing of future Dome use options was begun. Independent professional advice has since been received that completing the hard strip offers maximum flexibility for any future use and does not prejudice the chances of the Dome being used for any particular use. Carrying out the hard strip enhances the prospects of finding a long term sustainable use, and therefore the work is proceeding.
§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money has been spent from 1 January to 30 June on the care and maintenance of the Millennium Dome; and what his estimate is of the total figure for 2001. [2347]
§ Ms KeebleBetween 1 January and 30 June 2001 expenditure by the New Millennium Experience Company in relation to care and maintenance of the Millennium Dome was:
The company received a rates rebate in June of £838,000 for the same six-month period, thereby reducing the care and maintenance cost by that amount. The figures listed do not include expenditure incurred on decommissioning, or any costs relevant to the company's on-going wind-down and liquidation activities.
- January—£600,000
- February—£646,000
- March—627,000
- April—£609,000
- May—£632,000
- June—£224,000.