§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 19 November (WA 323), why the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure officials Dr Edward Rooney and Mrs Patricia McAllister did not communicate the advice concerning the budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2003 to the Minister as directly requested by the chairman of the Agency. [HL42]
§ The Lord President of The Council (Baroness Amos)Officials take account of a range of representations when providing advice to Ministers. However, in line with Part II, paragraph 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not the practice of government to comment on advice given to Ministers by officials.