HL Deb 07 July 2003 vol 651 c2WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the budget for the North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat for 2002, broken down into detailed headings; how much was contributed by each government; who approved the budget; by what procedures; and on what date. [HL3250]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Details of the NSMC Joint Secretariat (North) budget allocation for 2002–03 were provided in the Answer given on 12 March 2003 (WA 186). The budget allocation is not approved at a detailed level but as a total figure.

The budget is approved annually by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the department's budget management arrangemnts, operating within the procedures for the management of public expenditure in Northern Ireland.