§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Norther n Ireland what the remit is of the Cultural Diversity Branch; how many staff are employed in it; and what the total costs of the branch have been in each year since it was set up. [123800]
§ Angela SmithCultural Diversity Branch exists to take forward the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's goal to promote and celebrate cultural diversity. During 2002 the Branch also delivered on the Department's commitment as lead Department for the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Northern Ireland. At present three staff are employed in Cultural Diversity Branch. The Branch has been in existence since April 2001 and staffing and programme costs for each year since 2001 are:
£ 2001–02 535,503.80 2002–03 916,478.39