HC Deb 09 May 1996 vol 277 cc234-5W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the cultural traditions group's(a) varieties of Irishness conference, (b) varieties of Britishness conference and (c) varieties of Scottishness conference. [27887]

Mr. Ancram

The costs incurred by the cultural traditions group in organising each conference were:

  1. (a) Varieties of Irishness, March 1989, Portrush—£10,998, with an additional contribution from the American Ireland Fund;
  2. (b) Varieties of Britishness, March 1990, Enniskillen—£15,280, with an additional contribution from the American Ireland Fund;
  3. (c) Varieties of Scottishness, March 1996, Belfast—£7,966, with an additional contribution to travel costs from a private sector sponsor.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the budget allocated for the cultural traditions group's cultural diversity in contemporary Europe conference. [27888]

Mr. Ancram

The cultural traditions group's conference on cultural diversity in contemporary Europe, originally planned for 23–24 June 1996, has been postponed and will not now take place during the current financial year.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the cultural balance in the choice of speakers for the cultural diversity in contemporary Europe conference; and if he will make a statement. [27890]

Mr. Ancram

The cultural traditions group's proposed conference on cultural diversity in contemporary Europe has been postponed. The organisers will choose speakers for a re-arranged conference at a later stage.