HL Deb 22 January 2002 vol 630 cc197-8WA
Viscount Astor

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what basis they regard the pre-sale valuation of the Millennium Dome and the government appraisal to be commercially confidential; and [HL2264]

Whether they will publish the terms of the contract with English Partnerships and Meridian Delta Ltd relating to the Millennium Dome when it has been signed. [HL2265]

The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

In order to protect the parties' commercial interests, it is normal commercial practice not to reveal the details of contractual agreements such as that being entered into between English Partnerships (EP) and Meridian Delta Ltd (MDL). Revealing such details may compromise the Government's ability to achieve value for money, since the joint venture between EP and MDL will be negotiating third parties over the subsequent development of the land. This is true also of the pre-valuation and other appraisals of the value of the Dome site.

Mayoral Referendums
Date Council Proposals Result Fall-back
7 June (Normal poll—Combined) (by Petition) Berwick-upon-Tweed Mayor & Cabinet Yes 3,617 (26%) No 10,212 (74%) Turnout 64% Alternative Arrangements
28 June (All Postal) Cheltenham Mayor & Cabinet Yes 8,083 (33%) No 16,602 (67%) Turnout 32% Leader & Cabinet
28 June (All Postal) Gloucester Mayor & Cabinet Yes 7,731 (32%) No 16,317 (68%) Turnout 31% Leader & Cabinet
12 July (All Postal) Watford Mayor & Cabinet Yes 7,636 (52%) No 7,140 (48%) Turnout 25% N/A
20 September (All Postal) Doncaster Mayor & Cabinet Yes 35,453 (65%) No 19,398 (35%) Turnout 25% N/A
4 October (Normal) Kirklees Mayor & Cabinet Yes 10,169 (27%) No 27,977 (73%) Turnout 13% Leader & Cabinet
11 October (Normal) Sunderland Mayor & Cabinet Yes 9,375 (43%) No 12,209 (57%) Turnout 10% Leader & Cabinet
18 October (All Postal) Brighton & Hove Mayor & Cabinet Yes 22,724 (38%) No 37,214 (62%) Turnout 32% Alternative Arrangements
18 October (All Postal) Hartlepool Mayor & Cabinet Yes 10,667 (51%) No 10,294 (49%) Turnout 34% N/A
18 October (All Postal) Lewisham Mayor & Cabinet Yes 16,822 (51%) No 15,914 (49%) Turnout 18% N/A
18 October (All Postal) Middlesbrough Mayor & Cabinet Yes 29,067 (84%) No 5,422 (16%) Turnout (34%) N/A

We will review this position once contracts have been exchanged with MDL, and will make public as much information as is possible within these constraints.

The National Audit Office is scrutinising the entire sale process, including valuations and value for money assessments, and will report to Parliament in due course. We have kept the NAO informed throughout, and will continue to do so.