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Mrs. Bottomley: It takes one to know one. The only major tragedy, of course, would be if the Labour party were ever in power. It seems to want only to cap the prizes and to increase the lottery's operating costs, which would mean that we would be unable to invest in these great opportunities. The hon. Gentleman refers to a statue trail, which is one of many exciting initiatives presented for lottery funding. I would be extremely sympathetic to
it, but I am merely the humble chairman of the Millennium Commission, which is served by a group of independent-minded, wilful human beings who do not follow a three-line Whip from their chairman.
Mr. Michael Jopling (Westmorland and Lonsdale): Does the Secretary of State understand that many people in the north of England will not share in the grumpy noises that have been made on the Back Benches and that they will look forward to visiting the exhibition? They would much prefer to visit it in London than in Birmingham, which they think of as a place that people go through on the way to London. They will think it especially appropriate for the exhibition to be in London, remembering that 90 per cent. of lottery awards so far have been awarded to places outside London.
Will the Secretary of State give particular attention to the problem of Cumbria, which sits uneasily between the northern and north-west regions, to ensure that, when the regional role arises in 1997 and 2000, Cumbria has a special place, bearing in mind the magnificent future that it has?
Mrs. Bottomley:
Although my right hon. Friend expressed sentiments with which I think many hon. Members would agree, perhaps he was unduly harsh about the joys of Birmingham. I think I made it clear that there were many strengths in Birmingham's bid, and it is certainly a magnificent city. I shall certainly bear in mind my right hon. Friend's comments about Cumbria. As we reach the first anniversary of the distribution of lottery awards, all the distributing bodies wish to be sure that every part of the country has benefited. It is remarkable that, although awards have been made for under a year, already 5,121 awards totalling £1,225 million have been made. That is a remarkable success story in a short time.
Mr. Roger Godsiff (Birmingham, Small Heath):
Does the Minister acknowledge that the whole bidding process has been an absolute charade? Will she confirm that the decision about London was taken some time ago and that the excuses that have been trotted out about Birmingham and the other cities are merely to fit that decision? Will she explain the position of Imagination? Which site does it favour, bearing it in mind that it worked on the Birmingham bid and has now been brought into the London one? Were the bidding rules changed? Birmingham complied exactly with the time scale, but can the Minister explain why London was given additional weeks to put together its proposals?
Mrs. Bottomley:
The commission has sought throughout to be absolutely fair and even-handed. It set a timetable that it knew was tight, but there was always the potential to ask for further information, to satisfy itself on additional points as it made progress. Imagination is a most exciting concept, involving "The Circle of Time" and the participation of all parts of the country. In its original presentation to the festival committee and the commission, it had worked up proposals for all the different sites that are involved. When the commission first saw the Imagination proposals, "The Circle of Time" plans had been worked out for the Greenwich peninsula.
Mr. Richard Tracey (Surbiton):
I am sure that my right hon. Friend would agree that the decision is a
Mrs. Bottomley:
It is indeed good news for London, and I note that a news release from London First today states:
Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South):
Does the Secretary of State agree that there are three other sites close to the chosen exhibition site, which could house associated activities? They are the Meridian site in West Ham, which is less than a mile away; the royal docks, which are 500 yd from the site; and, pre-eminently, Greenwich town. Will she answer the question of her hon. Friend the Member for South Staffordshire(Sir P. Cormack) and assure us that the premises of the Royal Naval college will be available during that period? Finally, because Greenwich is a measurement not only of time but of longitude 0 deg, will the right hon. Lady and her groups take suggestions about enlarging the millennium concept into the international and global spheres?
Mrs. Bottomley:
The hon. Gentleman reminds me of some of the other sites involved, especially the Stratford site, which has enormous potential and where I have no doubt that considerable development will take place. I apologise to my hon. Friend the Member for South Staffordshire (Sir P. Cormack) and the hon. Gentleman for omitting to mention the Royal Naval college--a magnificent Sir Christopher Wren building. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is leading efforts to find a viable future purpose for that truly magnificent building. The hon. Gentleman is probably aware that we are proposing that it should become a UNESCO world heritage site. He will therefore understand to what extent my Department is involved in ensuring that that wonderful heritage is not only safeguarded but properly and fully used.
Mr. Peter Viggers (Gosport):
Following that point directly, is my right hon. Friend aware that the Select Committee considering the Armed Forces Bill is tasked among other things with considering granting our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence the right to issue a 150-year lease for Greenwich hospital? Does she agree that her announcement should cause one to look more imaginatively at the whole Greenwich site, and perhaps consider joining the national maritime museum site and Greenwich hospital?
Mrs. Bottomley:
My hon. Friend makes an exciting and interesting proposal. That site, on which was built a
Mr. Terry Davis (Birmingham, Hodge Hill):
If Greenwich and London were such natural and obvious choices, why was a competition held in the first place? Is the right hon. Lady aware that the fact that she could hardly keep her face straight when she read the statement will be taken as conclusive evidence that the competition was a farce from beginning to end?
Mrs. Bottomley:
Of course, the hon. Gentleman is entitled to his opinion. I can say only that the Millennium Commission was extremely diligent about having a competition for the site and a separate debate about the operator. Fifty-seven potential sites were offered to host the festival, and four potential operators came forward. It was a very difficult decision. The hon. Gentleman sees an expression of delight on my face because very many hours of deliberation and debate have for the time being reached a conclusion. It is the right decision, and it will lead to a great deal of fulfilment and opportunity for the people of this country.
Mr. James Pawsey (Rugby and Kenilworth):
Is my right hon. Friend aware that her announcement will be greeted with great disappointment in Birmingham and the west midlands? Birmingham is the nation's second city and a great deal more than simply an industrial or scientific centre. It has a growing reputation for culture. My right hon. Friend's announcement will do nothing to encourage Birmingham. Other hon. Members have said that people travel through Birmingham on the way to London. That is one reason why the exhibition should have been given to Birmingham. It would have established an alternative centre. My right hon. Friend should understand that there is life outside London.
Mrs. Bottomley:
My hon. Friend is exactly right. I have here a list of 50 different lottery awards that have gone to the Birmingham area. Two are very substantial--one to the Ikon gallery and one to the City of Birmingham symphony orchestra. It is a very exciting and vibrant city, with a very good university. There is a great deal of activity. Although I regret that it has not on this occasion won the opportunity to stage the millennium festival, I am aware that it has submitted another very substantial millennium bid, for which it hopes it will receive tens of millions of pounds, for one of the flagship regeneration projects.
"This is a unique opportunity to regenerate a major part of London and will provide a lasting legacy for the generations to come. As importantly, it will act as a springboard for London to lead the world into the next millennium."
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