§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether the Department was consulted on the implications for embassies abroad of the transfer of the Friends of Scotland initiative to the Scottish Executive; [121143]
(2) what discussions he had with the Scottish Executive prior to transferring the Friends of Scotland initiative to the Scottish Executive. [121146]
§ Mr. DarlingI discussed with the First Minister the opportunity for further developing the Friends of Scotland project and building on its success in recruiting support for the promotion of Scotland overseas. We agreed that the time was now right for the Scottish Executive to take on the leadership of the project, alongside the Executive's other overseas promotion programmes and taking full account of the contribution which the United Kingdom's posts overseas can play.
§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost has been of Friends of Scotland. [121147]
§ Mr. DarlingThe costs of the Friends of Scotland project to date, excluding staff costs and departmental overheads, amount to £326,000 (£123,000 in 2001–02; £187,000 in 2002–03 and £16,000 to 25 June).
The hon. Member will be aware that this project has now been transferred to the Scottish Executive.