§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 27 November (HL137) concerning funding of the Language Implementation Body, whether the financial year of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch is the calendar year; whether the £304,826 underspend listed for 2001 was made available to Tha Boord in 2002; whether it is still available; and, if not, why. [HL306]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The financial year of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch is the calendar year.
The under-spend for 2001 was not made available to Tha Boord in 2002.
The government financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. In accordance with best practice, funding is not paid to the North/South Language Implementation Body in advance of demonstrated need in line with objectives in approved business plans. Any under-spend of funds remaining at 31 March is surrendered to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).