British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat

HL Deb 29 July 2002 vol 638 cc159-60WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the role of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat; and how much does it cost to run annually. [HL5383]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat supports the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference established by the British-Irish Agreement and deals with non-devolved Northern Ireland matters. The expenditure of the secretariat is met by the two governments and the cost to the British Government in 2001–02 was £554K.