§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department's hospitality budget(a) is in 2002–03 and (b) was in each of the last three years; and how much was left unspent at the end of each financial year. [99499]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Northern Ireland Office budget for hospitality in 2002–03 and in previous three years inclusive of amounts overspent/unspent is listed as follows:
- 2002–03: £362,000
- 2001–02: £339,000 (£97,240 not spent)
- 2000–01: £273,000 (overspent by £13,442)
- 1999–2000: £419,000 (£75,211 not spent).
The figures for the NIO are inclusive of its agencies, but excluding NDPBs.
Within the Northern Ireland Administration Departments are not required to establish a separate budget for hospitality. Payments for approved hospitality are generally made from a budget allocated to general administrative expenditure, and in line with the principles and guidelines set out in Government Accounting Northern Ireland (GANI). The information requested is not held in the required format, therefore the information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.