Written question asked by Lord Spellar (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Freeman on Monday, 17 March 1997 on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Question: Pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Romford of 3rd March, Official Report, 292 c497W, on the Millennium Exhibition, if he will comment on the methodology by which the figure of 10 million expected visitors was determined.

Answer: Mr. Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Romford (Sir M. Neubert) of 3 March, Official Report, column 497, on the millennium exhibition, if he will make a statement on the methodology by which the figure of 10 million expected visitors was determined. [19834] Mr. Freeman: A MORI poll conducted by the operating company before Christmas indicated potential visitor numbers of 13.5 million could be achieved if efforts were made to maximise attendance. The original indicative budget produced by Millennium Central Limited was prepared on this basis. As part of the process of refining the indicative budget, the amount to be expended on maximising visitor numbers was reduced and the estimate of visitor numbers was reduced accordingly to 10 million.

Secondary information