HL Deb 02 February 2004 vol 656 cc66-7WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 January (WA 79), concerning the budget for 2003 for the Ulster-Scots Agency, and in view of the statement in the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 June 2003 (WA 44) that the budget provision was notified by the Eire Government to the Northern Ireland department on 12 November 2002, what was the purpose of the meeting of 25 October 2002, the minutes of which indicate that there was no detailed discussion of the budget and the business plan. [HL833]

Baroness Amos

The purpose of the meeting on 25 October 2002 was to identify key issues for the North/South Language Body which required North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) approval. Both agencies of the body were informed at this meeting that their draft 2003 business plans needed to be submitted for approval and that the associated budget needed to be approved by the NSMC prior to 31 December 2002.