§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 October (WA 93) concerning cross- border implementation bodies, what "normally consulted" means; whether there is a requirement to consult the bodies about each year's budget; and, if so, when the Ulster-Scots Agency was consulted about the 2003 budget. [HL4847]
§ Baroness AmosThe normal budget process for the Ulster-Scots Agency is as set out in the North/South Language Body's financial memorandum. This process was not followed to the letter because the agency's business plan for 2003 was only received by the sponsor departments for comment on 13 November 2002 and the processes set out in the financial memorandum were based on the assumption that the agency would bring forward its business plan to the North/South Ministerial Council, in consultation with sponsor departments and finance departments in July-August 2002.
However, the sponsor departments of the North/ South Language Body consult with the agencies of the body regularly throughout the year on matters relevant to the agencies.