HC Deb 21 November 2002 vol 394 cc252-3W
Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the total cost per annum of the British Irish Joint Secretariat, based at Windsor House in Belfast; and how the cost are allocated between the British and Irish Governments. [80676]

Mr. Browne

The expenditure of the British irish Intergovernmental Secretariat is met by the two Governments. The total cost to the British Government in 2001–02 was £554,000.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff are employed by the British Irish Joint Secretariat at Windsor House in Belfast; and what proportion of these staff members are appointed by the(a) British and (b) Irish Governments. [80677]

Mr. Browne

The British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat comprises 25 members of staff, 12 employed by the Northern Irleland Office and 13 employed by the Irish Government.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what are the main functions of the British Irish Joint Secretariat based at Windsor House in Belfast. [80678]

Mr. Browne

The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference and the Secretariat were established by the British-Irish Agreement, which took effect on Thursday 2 December 1999. the role of the Secretariat is to support the Conference. As such it provides a formal channel of communication to promote bilateral co-operation between the two governments on non-devolved Northern Ireland matters. [80678]