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NESTA
21. Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what means he will monitor the scientific value of investment through the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts. [77389]
Mr. Chris Smith: The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts has just finished consulting on how it intends to operate.
Means of monitoring is one of the issues that has still to be decided. As an independent body I expect NESTA to be responsible for monitoring the value of all of its investments covering science, technology and the arts. I will also expect them to report back to me with their findings.
Departmental Visual Identity
22. Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the objectives in developing his Department's visual identity. [77390]
Mr. Chris Smith: The Department's new visual identity was designed to:
improve the Department's communications systems;
achieve better value for money in design and print purchasing; and;
produce a new logo and new design guidelines for use by suppliers and staff within the Department.
World Heritage Sites
23. Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy on protecting world heritage sites from damage. [77391]
Mr. Alan Howarth: World Heritage Sites are protected by a range of statutory controls. Prior consent is required for works to listed buildings and scheduled monuments, and for natural sites environmental agencies must be consulted on development proposals. Government planning guidance identifies World Heritage Sites and their settings as a key material consideration in the planning process. Management Plans also ensure a rigorous and co-ordinated approach to the protection of such sites.
Museums (Merseyside)
24. Mr. Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of a single pass for entry to all the national museums on Merseyside on attendance levels. [77392]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
In the first year of the introduction of the Eight Pass (July 1997-June 1998), the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside's annual season ticket, we estimate that there was a drop of about 27 per cent. of visits compared to the previous twelve months. However in the eleven months to the end of February 1999 there is evidence that this trend is being reversed. To enable NMGM to provide better access to its collections, we are providing it with additional funding so that the price of the Eight Pass can be pegged at its current
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level, and from 27 March admission to NMGM for school age children became free. NMGM also intends that there will be free admission for pensioners in April 2000.
25. Mrs. Mahon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out the first-year programme for the agency Quest. [77394]
Mr. Chris Smith:
Quest will undertake up to six major studies a year. Although the first year's programme will be finalised only once the director and advisory board are appointed, I expect it to include a review of targets and indicators used within Funding Agreements, and a review of administrative structures within national bodies in DCMS areas including the Sports Governing Bodies.
26. Mr. Illsley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage the full use of national lottery money allocated this year for sporting and cultural activities in Yorkshire and Humberside. [77395]
Mr. Banks:
Although National Lottery money is not allocated specifically on a regional basis, we want all regions of the country, including Yorkshire and Humberside, to receive their fair share of funds. Measures in the National Lottery Act 1998 and recent changes in Policy Directions to the distributors will help to achieve this. The investigation which the English Sports Council, the Arts Council of England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Lottery Charities Board, the Millennium Commission and the New Opportunities Fund are undertaking into the reasons for the low take-up of funds in coalfield areas will also help to ensure that people in Yorkshire and Humberside benefit as much as possible from the National Lottery.
32. Mr. Fraser:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many zones within the Dome are sponsored with irrevocable contracts. [77401]
Janet Anderson:
I would like to point out that not all sponsorship is related to the provision of zones and not all zone costs are met by sponsorship. However, irrevocable sponsorship contracts for the Communicate, Mobility, and National Identity zones have been signed. Other zone sponsors announced by the New Millennium Experience Company are fully committed at Board level and contractual negotiations are progressing well. To date the NMEC has announced £142 million of sponsorship towards the project target of £150 million.
34. Kali Mountford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to encourage young people and children from the north of England to visit the millennium dome. [77403]
37. Mr. Watts:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to make the dome accessible to children from the north-west from low-income families. [77406]
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Janet Anderson:
The Millennium Experience is the focus for the nation's millennium celebrations. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is therefore keen to ensure that as many people as possible who wish to visit the Dome can do so and that as many people as possible have the opportunity to take part in the associated National Programme of events and activities. The company's ticket pricing structure was announced on 18 March and includes up to one million free Dome admission tickets for schoolchildren under the Education Tours Scheme. There will also be discounted education rates for students/college visits (at £14.50 each) and school visits (£8 each). Details of the full range of prices were placed in the Libraries of the House on 18 March.
The NMEC is not offering special discounts for low income families although the children of all families have the chance to benefit from free admission under the Education Tours Scheme. The overall ticket pricing structure has been informed by the experience and systems of other major visitor attractions both in the public and the private sectors. In addition to visiting the Dome, thousands of schoolchildren are taking part in the National Programme's Schoolnet 2000 project (sponsored by Tesco); the Voices of Promise project (sponsored by Marks and Spencer); and the Our Town Story project (sponsored by McDonalds).
Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimates his Department has made of the numbers of people likely to visit the millennium dome in each of the next five years. [77402]
Mr. Chris Smith:
During the period of the Millennium Experience--i.e. during the year 2000--the New Millennium Experience are expecting 12 million visitors. From 2001 onwards, numbers will depend upon the outcome of the competition launched by the Government on 4 March to find a long-term, sustainable and viable use for the Millennium Dome.
35. Mr. Forth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the financial benefits of the millennium dome to each UK region. [77404]
Mr. Chris Smith:
No estimate has been made of the financial benefits accruing from the Millennium Dome to each UK region. However, the British Tourist Authority (BTA) has estimated the number of overseas visits to the UK in the year 2000 as 27.5 million and that as a direct result of the Millennium Experience an additional £300-£500 million of overseas tourist revenue will be brought into the UK economy. The "halo" effect could double this figure. The BTA have further estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 new tourist related jobs will be created. This is excellent news for the whole of the UK.
36. Mr. Stringer:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the millennium dome on the regeneration of south-east London. [77405]
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Janet Anderson:
The building of the Millennium Dome, and its proposed long-term retention, will have major regenerative benefits for the whole of London including the south-east, the full effects of which will become increasingly apparent over time.
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