What the Dome looks like now

The so-called 'Dome Secretary' was joined by Michael Heseltine in a robust defence of the project in the first major parliamentary debate on the controversial scheme.

MPs have frequently complained that they have not had enough information about the project.

Opening the debate, Christopher Fraser, a Conservative member of the Commons culture select committee, said the government had "dithered and delayed" over the project.

Work is "ahead of schedule"

The debate follows criticism of Mr Mandelson's fact-finding mission to Disney World in Florida at the beginning of January, and the resignation of project chief designer Stephen Bayley, who criticised Mr Mandelson's handling of the project.

Before the debate Mr Fraser said: "What was originally a visionary concept is fast being turned into a disaster by Mr Mandelson."

Francis Maude: Dome is a music hall joke

His concerns were echoed by Shadow Culture secretary Francis Maude who dubbed the project a "dream turned sour" and claimed Mr Mandelson had turned it into a "New Labour stunt."

Pointing to "rows and resignations" among those involved in the plan, Mr Maude demanded the minister should come clean now to save the project.

"How is it that in a few short months the Dome has become an object of ridicule, a laughing stock, a music hall joke?"

Peter Mandelson: known as the 'Dome Secretary'

But Mr Mandelson mounted a robust defence of the project, telling MPs, "Construction is on time, if anything it is ahead of time."

"Spending is within budget and costs are firmly under control. The creative development of the Dome's contents has leaped ahead."

And Mr Mandelson was firmly backed by the man who launched the project, former Deputy Prime Minister and Millennium Commission member Michael Heseltine: "The die is cast. This festival going to happen," he said.