§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they have cut the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency by 16 per cent; whether they considered the policy effect of the cut; whom in the agency they discussed the policy changes with; and what other factors influenced the decision. [HL2922]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe agreed budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2003 was £1.35 million, £0.22 million less than the indicative budget of £ 1.57 million. This reduction was a result of pressure on public expenditure in the Republic of Ireland rather than any consideration of the effect on policy.
As the noble Lord is aware, work is now underway to increase the budget of the North/South Language Body.