§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Millennium Dome site has been handed over to English Partnership. [HL473]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonEnglish Partnerships has owned the land on which the Dome sits since 1997, as part of the Greenwich Peninsula estate acquired from British Gas. The lease of the Dome site to the New Millennium Experience Company ended, as planned, on 30 June 2001. English Partnerships therefore continues to own the Dome site, and in accordance with the legal agreement between English Partnerships and the New Millennium Experience Company, English Partnership now owns the Dome structure as well as the land, and also has control of the Dome site.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the market testing in relation to the sale of the Millennium Dome site undertaken by the independent professional team has been completed; 168WA and if not, when the market testing is expected to be completed; and [HL470]
What is the status of the Wellcome Trust in relation to the sale of the Millennium Dome site; and [HL474]
Whether they have been advised to conduct a new competition for the sale of the Millennium Dome site, and, if so, when they intend to announce the terms of that competition. [HL475]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonAs part of the ongoing process, the Dome sale team has had, and continues to have, numerous meetings and discussions with interested parties concerning the future use of the Dome. To reveal details of any of these discussions could compromise the ongoing process and would be against the public interest. It is of course open to interested organisations to make their interest public.
The market testing has revealed a wide range of interest in the Dome and the regeneration of land on the peninsula. On the basis of professional advice, we are progressing discussions with a small number of serious contenders. Market testing will continue to ensure that all serious bids are considered.
The future of the Dome is a key factor in the continued regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula. We are keeping other major stakeholders, particularly Greenwich Council, informed of progress, and the Greenwich Peninsula Partnership continues to evolve. The Government will continue to keep Parliament informed of the progress being made.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton, on 10 May (WA421), whether they will publish (a) their quantification of the benefits of retaining the Dome structure on the sale of the Dome site; and (b) the period over which such benefits are expected to be realised. [HL560]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThese issues are continuously reviewed and considered in relation to the ongoing sale process. Details must remain confidential, in the public interest.