Minister admits Dome cloud

THE Government yesterday admitted that there are "problems" over the use of powerful global warming gases in the Millennium Dome.

Michael Meacher, the environment minister, blamed lack of consultation over hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) in the air conditioning system for the current row. The result was that the project was now up against a "very tight schedule".

Mr Meacher was speaking at the launch of a first business plan for UK environment industries in London amid protests about the "anti-green" nature of the controversial dome now being built on Greenwich Peninsular by the Thames in south-east London.

The Tories' environment spokesman, Tim Yeo, has urged John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, to act over the "dangers" of using greenhouse gases in the system.

The Government has pledged to cut greenhouse gases, with the European Union, by at least 8 per cent by 2010 as agreed at the Kyoto summit.