HL Deb 22 July 2004 vol 664 cc61-2WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why funding for the 11 July bonfire celebrations was removed from the Ulster-Scots Agency's draft budget for 2004, given the importance of safety and family enjoyment to these celebrations. [HL3035]

The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)

Under the care and maintenance arrangements of north/south bodies during suspension of the Assembly the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency was increased by 10.65 per cent to £1,704,000 for 2004. It is up to the agency to prioritise its spending within its budget while recognising that spending must be within the approved budget and associated business plan.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that the Ulster-Scots Agency is adequately and positively represented to the media by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. [HL3368]

Baroness Amos

As a sponsoring department of the agency, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure supports the Ulster-Scots Agency through funding to enable it to fulfil its remit as defined in the legislation. The agency was set up to promote greater awareness of Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues and to this end has its own media relations strategy.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 June (WA 79), what impact the decision to remove £600,000 from the Ulster-Scots Agency's requested budget will have on the agency's ability to support community events during the marching season; and what effect this will have on the ability of community leaders to achieve as peaceful a marching season in 2004 as that achieved in 2003. [HL3408]

Baroness Amos

I have nothing further to add to the Answers given on 26 May 2004 (WA 134) and 17 June 2004 (WA 79).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 5 July (WA 57) concerning the Eire Government's Official Languages Act 2003, whether they became aware of the existence of the Act on 29 May 2003; why they did not consult the Ulster-Scots Agency; and why they only took action concerning the Act on 19 March. [HL3703]

Baroness Amos

The Government did become aware of the existence of the Official Languages Act on 29 May 2003. The Ulster-Scots Agency was consulted about the Act at a Language Body Facilitation Meeting held on 30 March 2004. It is not the case that action was taken only in March. As indicated in my earlier Answer, to which the noble Lord refers, that was simply the date of the first formal meeting.