APPENDIX 28
Memorandum submitted by Mr Richard Heller
This is to let you and the Committee know that I
have started a campaign for the Millennium Dome to remain under
public ownership.
The Government has just shortlisted two private
sector schemes for the Dome. One is mediocre: the other is ridiculous.
Neither is a worthy future for a London landmark. Neither will
raise much public money. The British people paid for the Dome
and they should be allowed to keep it.
In public ownership the Dome could be used for
national festivals and celebrations—including the Queen's
Golden Jubilee in 2002. When not in such use, space in the Dome
could be available to community groups, voluntary organisations,
cultural, artistic and sporting bodies. This would create jobs
and activity at least as well as selling off the Dome to a private
(monopoly) developer. Indeed, in public ownership the Dome could
offer lower rents to small, innovative businesses which the Government
hopes to encourage.
The upkeep of the Dome would be a trivial charge
on public funds (I think it should be done from general revenue
not the Lottery). I feel sure that the British people would bear
it if they knew that the Dome would be put to good use, for which
Ministers would answer to Parliament. I hope that the Committee
will not shut its mind to a publicly-owned future for the Dome.
I would be happy to talk about it at any time.
On another point, what will happen to all the
Government papers—and those of the publicly owned New Millennium
Experience Company—relating to the Millennium Experience?
They should all be released under freedom of information. I hope
that your Committee will press for this: there can be no valid
reason for withholding them. The Committee of course has power
to send for them and publish them if the Government is unwilling
to release them!
Finally, one small detail. It is impossible
for visitors to buy a video of the central show at the Millennium
Dome. I was told (in a letter from Lord Falconer's private secretary)
that the NMEC failed to negotiate performance rights for the show.
Your Committee might wish to investigate this failure, which has
weakened the artistic and commercial value of the Dome.
May 2000
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